I found this fascinating and handsome looking creature on our chrysanthemums recently, and couldn’t resist taking its pic! I had no idea what it was except that it buzzed like a bee, but wasn’t a bee – so I just called it my ‘Stripey Fly’.

Some Googling revealed that it was a hover fly, a Native Drone Fly. It gets its name from the fact that it drones (buzzes) like a bee, and this is to trick the bees into thinking it is a bee (as are its stripes), so it can get to share their nectar source with them. Pretty clever heh?!

It’s larvae also eat aphids, making it a VERY good Aussie bug – they are welcome in our garden any time!