Hover fly
(Syrphid family)

Many people call these insects “sweat bees.” They are not bees, but often land on my arm while I am gardening, perhaps drawn to sweat. Hover flies evolved to look like bees, likely to deter predators, but they do not sting. There are many species. This pattern was modeled after a species common in New York. The key features that distinguish hover flies from bees are their very large eyes (taking up nearly their whole head) and the fact that they have only two wings, usually held at right angles to their body while they
eat pollen and nectar from flowers. Adults are pollinators. Immature hover flies (larvae) are much harder to spot, but they love to eat aphids, scales, and other small insects. If you have an aphid infestation, look closely for green or brown “worms” eating the aphids. They are likely larvae of hover or other predatory flies.

Learn more about hover flies: https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/outre...

Materials:

• Set of 4, US #2 (~2.75 mm) double-pointed knitting needles
• Black and yellow worsted (or slightly finer) yarn; should be same weight
• Fiber fill or yarn scraps to stuff your insect
• White worsted (or slightly finer) weight yarn for wings
• One, 12-inch-long pipe cleaner, preferably in tan or yellow; additional pipe cleaner (preferably white) optional to stiffen wings
• Size 0 crochet hook for antennae
• Rusty red worsted weight (or slightly finer) yarn for eyes
• Tapestry needle for assembly