Hover flies (Syrphidae)

Episyrphus viridaureus and another, Tawau

The family names on this page are the photographer's own, from his old fly pages; they have not been checked by a specialist or on iNaturalist. Dates come from the camera or from the date printed on the photograph.

Hover flies hover in mid-air and visit flowers. Many are striped black and yellow like wasps or bees but are harmless; the larvae of many species eat aphids.

Order Diptera · Family Syrphidae (hover flies).

Episyrphus viridaureus — 5 February 2007, Bukit Gemok

A black-and-yellow banded hover fly with clear wings on a green leaf. — 5 Feb 2007, 15:15, on a leaf.

Canon PowerShot A430. Named Episyrphus viridaureus on the old page, which dated it "5-2-2009, Bukit Gemok"; the camera records 5 February 2007, which is used here.

16 December 2006 — Merotai

A dark, dull-coloured fly with large eyes on a grass blade. — 16 Dec 2006, Merotai.

Date and place from the label on the photograph. A plain dark fly; the family is not certain from this small picture.

Related: Flies of Borneo · One pair of wings · Insects of Borneo
Photographs © Wong Fook Yee. Family facts: Wikipedia articles on each family. Page written 14 October 2026.