September 16, 2025

A Broad-banded Hoverfly (Epistrophe grossulariae) feeding on the nectar and pollen of Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium). These Hoverflies have a widespread native range including Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America.

They closely resemble a bee, but they don’t sting, though they do enjoy landing on a sweaty arm to lap up our salts. So be patient, they are gentle creatures. Their size ranges between .4 and .5 inches in length. Broad-banded Hoverfly larvae eat aphids and other small soft bodied insects.

A good one to have around.

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