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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » "Aschiza" » Hover Flies (Syrphidae) » Eristalinae » Milesiini » Milesiina » Milesia » Yellowjacket Hover Fly (Milesia virginiensis)
Photo#555535
Hornet?? - Milesia virginiensis
Copyright © 2011 Bella30127

Hornet?? - Milesia virginiensis
McCaysville, Fannin County, Georgia, USA
July 31, 2011
Size: Approx. 1 1/4"
We see this insect frequently at our cabin in North Georgia. It will hover in the air a foot in front of us and stare, almost the way hummingbirds do. Also has a loud buzzing sound. I'm guessing it's some kind of hornet but haven't been able to identify it.
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Contributed by Bella30127 on 31 July, 2011 - 10:48pm
Last updated 8 October, 2013 - 9:22pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Martin Hauser, 1 August, 2011 - 9:49am login or register to post comments

It would like you to think it was!
This is a Flower fly, possibly in the genus Milesia. Many predatory and pollinating flies mimic bees, wasps and hornets. Some do an awesome job of it too, wing buzz and all! Completely harmless though. These pollinate flowers, and their larva are frequently predators of aphids and other small insects that can do damage to plants if they get too overpopulated.
… Cassie Novak, 31 July, 2011 - 10:56pm login or register to post comments

 
Re: It would like you to think it was!
Thanks so much for your quick reply. I've never heard of a flower fly... gonna Google it and read more about them right now!
… Bella30127, 31 July, 2011 - 11:20pm login or register to post comments

 
Syrphid
Bella, Flower Flies are Syrphids. See Milesia here...
… Alice Cavette, 31 July, 2011 - 11:16pm login or register to post comments

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