Black and yellow means yellowjacket, right?

Not always!

Hoverflies are a common insect in Alaska that generally mimic yellowjackets but do not bite or sting. Hoverflies go by several other names, including syrphid flies, flower flies and drone flies and are a common sight at this time of year. They are called hoverflies because of their ability to hover in midair by vibrating their wings very rapidly, like a hummingbird.

Adult hoverflies are important pollinators and can be found feeding at flower blossoms or around aphid colonies, where they lay their eggs.  They are especially attracted to white and yellow flowers.

According to Dr. Derek Sikes, curator of insects and professor of entomology at UAF, hoverflies have several defining characteristics:

Unfortunately, many of the differentiating characteristics are hard to detect while the insects are moving. The most prominent difference is that the flies hover almost motionless for long periods of time. The yellowjacket’s flight is more erratic and rapid with side-to-side motion.

Yellowjackets are the most common source of stings in the United States. If you are allergic to yellowjackets, the fear of being stung can be paralyzing and can disrupt day-to-day activities. Knowing the differences between a hoverfly and a yellowjacket gives those with allergies additional confidence to venture outdoors.