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Insects and Spiders - Insects 2

Some insects copy others for protection, and it can fool our eyes. Learn the quick clues that separate bees from hoverflies and other lookalikes.

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Fascinating Fact:

Bees and hoverflies can look similar at a glance, but hoverflies have only one pair of wings and often have large eyes that meet on top of the head.

In Specialist Nature, identifying insects often comes down to a few reliable features rather than colour alone. Hoverflies, bees and wasps may share stripes, but you can check wing number, eye shape, antenna length and flight style. Many hoverflies can hover almost still, then dart quickly, while bees usually fly in a steadier, busier way as they forage between flowers.

Key Terms

Mimicry: When one species resembles another, often to avoid being eaten.
Diptera: The insect order that includes flies, most have one pair of wings and a second pair reduced to tiny balancing organs.
Antennae: Sensory feelers on an insect’s head, useful for comparing groups because their length and shape can differ.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How can I tell a hoverfly from a bee?

You can often tell a hoverfly from a bee by looking for one pair of wings, larger eyes, and shorter antennae. Hoverflies also tend to hover in place and make quick, darting movements, while bees usually fly more steadily as they forage.

Do hoverflies sting like bees?

Hoverflies do not sting, even if they look like bees or wasps. Their striped patterns are a form of mimicry that can discourage predators, but hoverflies are harmless to people.

Why do some insects look like bees and wasps?

Some insects look like bees and wasps because predators often avoid stinging insects. By copying warning colours and patterns, a harmless insect may be less likely to be attacked, even though it cannot sting.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1 .

What is the name of this insect?

Photograph courtesy of G.-U. Tolkiehn

Emerald Damselfly

Cepero's groundhopper

Yellow meadow ant

Meadow Grasshopper

Order: Orthoptera
Family: Acrididae
Subfamily: Gomphocerinae
Genus: Chorthippus
Species: C. parallelus
This species is the only one of its type that can't fly.
They have incredibly strong leg muscles in order to leap.
The 'leap' is also a somersault.
They are known for singing by rubbing their hind legs against their forewings.

2 .

What is the name of this insect?

Photograph courtesy of Rasbak

Garden bumblebee

Stick insect

European honey bee

Lesser earwig

Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Bombus
Species: B. hortorum
A large furry insect and they tend to keep themselves to themselves.
They can sting but only under prolonged provocation.
Males have no sting.
Some species are 'cuckoos' in that the female will take over an already established nest of another species.

3 .

What is the name of this insect?

Photograph courtesy of Gilles San Martin

European honey bee

Red ant

Ladybird

Forest bug

Order: Coleoptera
Family: Coccinellidae
One of our most-loved and cherished insects.
Widespread throughout the UK and very common in gardens whether rural, suburban or urban.
Welcomed by gardeners as they eat aphids, which are considered a pest.
Used as a logo by a publishing company, famous for children's books.

4 .

What is the name of this insect?

Photograph courtesy of Mick E. Talbot

Lesser earwig

German cockroach

Common earwig

Erratic ant

Order: Dermaptera
Family: Forficulidae
Genus: Forficula
Species: F. auricularia
A nocturnal insect that tends to hide during the day.
They are not fussy when it comes to food - plant or animal will suffice!
The adults of both male and female have a pincer-like 'tail'.
Generally speaking, not well-liked by humans.

5 .

What is the name of this insect?

Photograph courtesy of Richard Bartz

Beautiful Demoiselle

German cockroach

Golden-ringed Dragonfly

Field Cricket

Order: Odonata
Family: Calopterygidae
Genus: Calopteryx
Species: C. virgo
Males have purple-brown wings which become bluer as they get older.
Lifespan is approximately two years.
They prefer fast flowing streams and rivers.
Females can lay up to 300 eggs at any one time.

6 .

What is the name of this insect?

Photograph courtesy of IronChris

Black ant

Erratic ant

Red ant

Common wasp

Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Genus: Lasius
Species: L. niger
The only species of its type regularly seen indoors.
They are harmless to humans without sting or formic acid.
Improve the soil by mixing it up and increasing its fertility.
Big colonies can contain up to 15,000 workers.

7 .

Insect repellents generally don't work on this alien-looking insect - the pale giant horse-fly. However, the fly is not too keen on what?

Photograph courtesy of Thomas Bresson

Garlic

Smoke

Wind chimes

Coffee

Order: Diptera
Family: Tabanidae
Genus: Tabanus
Species: T. bovinus
A relatively large insect for its type.
Adults are approximately 25-30 mm in length.
More than capable of dodging the flyswatt with ease!
They only fly on sunny days in hot weather.

8 .

What is the name of this insect?

Photograph courtesy of JJ Harrison

Common Hawker

European wool carder bee

Common wasp

European wasp

Order: Hymenoptera
Genus: Vespula
Species: V. germanica
Is distinguished from the Common variety by three black dots on its face.
They build colonies which includes one queen and numerous workers.
The nest is made of chewed up plant fibres stuck together with saliva.
Nests can contain up to 3,000 individuals!

9 .

What is the name of this insect?

Photograph courtesy of Simon A. Eugster

Speckled bush-cricket

Stag beetle

Golden ground beetle

Rhinoceros beetle

Order: Coleoptera
Family: Lucanidae
Genus: Lucanus
Species: L. cervus
A globablly threatened species, protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Common in London, Thames Valley and Essex.
It is Britain's largest terrestrial insect.
Can be anything between 5-8 cms in length - and they can fly!

10 .

What is the name of this insect?

Photograph courtesy of www.commanster.eu/commanster

Lesser water boatman

March brown mayfly

Hoverfly

Ivy bee

Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Genus: Platycheirus
Species: P. granditarsus
The distribution of this species is widespread and common.
Prefers wet meadows and the fringes of marshes, ponds and lakes.
Adults fly around tall vegetation and occasionally settle on the stems.
Partial to the flower Ranunculus.

Author: Sarah Garratty

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