Hoverflies (hornet mimic hoverfly)
Volucella zonaria
- Group
- Harmless lookalike
- Risk
- No danger
- Protection status
- Not protected
- Identifying features
-
- Fly with convincing wasp and hornet mimicry
- Only one pair of wings
- Very large, globular eyes
- Very short antennae
- No sting
- Harmless
The hornet mimic hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) belongs to the hoverflies and its colouring imitates a hornet almost perfectly. As a fly, however, it is completely harmless and has no sting.
How to identify it
- Mimicry: colouring and size closely resemble a wasp or hornet
- Wings: only one pair of wings, as in all flies
- Eyes: very large and globular
- Antennae: very short, noticeably shorter than in true wasps
Risk
None: as a fly, the hornet mimic hoverfly has no sting and cannot sting. Its striking resemblance to wasps serves purely to deter predators.
Protection status in Switzerland
The hornet mimic hoverfly is not legally protected in Switzerland.
What to do about a nest?
The hornet mimic hoverfly does not build a nest of its own; its larvae develop inside the nests of wasps and hornets. No action is needed, as this insect poses no risk whatsoever.