Insect That Looks Like A Wasp

There’s a good reason why some bugs disguise themselves as another insect – it tricks predators like birds into thinking they are dangerous. One example of a bug in disguise is the hoverfly, which is easily confused with a wasp.

Insect That Looks Like A Wasp

There are over 270 types of hoverfly in Britain and about 120 of them have the distinguished black and yellow markings of a wasp. Some hoverfly’s look like honey bees (shiny brown, orange and black), bumblebees (furry) or hornets (huge wasp-like insects which although big and scary aren’t as ill-tempered as wasps).

The hoverfly doesn’t have a sting in its tail and is completely harmless and thus attracts an unfair negative and sometimes aggressive responsive from humans. So how do you tell the passive look-a-like hoverfly from it’s stinging want-to-be wasp? The good news is that the hoverfly’s disguise isn’t perfect and if you look carefully there are a few tell-tale clues:

Hoverfly has one pair of wingsHow to IDENTIFY a Hoverfly

Eyes: large and round, especially large in some males so they can spot females better.

Antennae: short and stubby.

Thorax: only one pair of broad wings, usually held out flat in a backwards V shape when resting.

Abdomen: without a narrow waist; although a very few secretive species have perfected the narrow waist disguise.

Flight: World class hoverers. Some species can fly absolutely still in mid-air, then suddenly dart-off.

Sting: Absolutely none. Deep down all hoverfly know this but some are in denial and may still pretend.

Plus-points: apart from the no-stinging quality of their personality their larvae eat greenfly and can chomp through 50 aphids a day.

Lifestyle: Some hoverfly keep up their wasp pretense by living in wasp nests. Others live in compost heaps or take shelter in old trees.

A wasp has kidney shaped eyes and narrow waistHow to IDENTIFY a Wasp

Head: Eyes smaller than the hoverfly and slimmer. Tend to be kidney shaped, pinched in around the antennae.

Antennae: Long and slim.

Thorax: Two pairs of wings. The front pair are large, the back wings much smaller. Wings are held directly over the back when resting.

Abdomen: The very narrow waist is a key give-away.

Flight: A casual, bobbing motion whilst searching for food.

Sting: Only the queens and female workers sting.

Lifestyle: Live in a nest made from paper. By the end of summer it is normally the size of a football and can contain 10,000 wasps. When the first frost comes the wasps return to the nest and die. The queens find somewhere sheltered to overwinter.

Insect That Looks Like A Wasp

The insect that looks like a wasp is the hoverfly. It looks like a wasp because of its color and shape, but it is actually a fly.

The hoverfly is important because it pollinates fruits and vegetables, which we need to survive. It also helps control pest populations by eating them.

The hoverfly is different from a wasp in several ways:

1) Its wings are not as thick and sturdy as those of wasps.

2) Its antennae are shorter and stubbier than those of wasps.

3) It has an oval-shaped body instead of a narrow waist like that of a wasp’s abdomen.

List Of Insect That Looks Like A Wasp

Spartan Mosquito Pro Tech – 1 Acre Pack (100% American Made)
Price : $35.00 ($8.75 / Count)
Features :

  • This item cannot be stored in Amazon warehouses due to active ingredient storage temperature requirements.
  • Do-It-Yourself Mosquito Killer
  • 100% American Made
  • Place 4 tubes (2 boxes) per acre on your perimeter/property line (more than 4 tubes can be used).
  • SPARTAN MOSQUITO PRO TECH IS NOT AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS OF California, and outside the United States

Additional Info :

National Geographic Kids Creepy Crawly Sticker Activity Book: Over 1,000 Stickers! (NG Sticker Activity Books)
Price : $6.28
Features :

  • National Geographic Society

Additional Info :

Item Dimensions
Height 10.85 Inches
Width 0.45 Inches
Length 7.85 Inches
Weight 0.5952481074 Pounds
Release Date 2016-07-12T00:00:01Z
Bug Bite Thing Suction Tool, Poison Remover - Bug Bites and Bee/Wasp Stings, Natural Insect Bite Relief, Chemical Free - White/Single
Price : $9.95
Features :

  • Removes insect venom, saliva, and other irritants left under the skin using suction
  • By removing the irritant, the body stops producing the reaction that is causing you to itch & swell
  • Works on: mosquitoes, bees, wasps, biting flies, no-see-ums, chiggers, sea lice & more
  • Compact, lightweight, reusable and easy to carry
  • Clinically Proven, kid friendly, 100% guarantee

Additional Info :

Color Single
Item Dimensions
Height 1 Inches
Width 3 Inches
Length 5 Inches
Weight 0.01984160358 Pounds
Katchy Indoor Insect Trap - Catcher & Killer for Mosquito, Gnat, Moth, Fruit Flies - Non-Zapper Traps for Buzz-Free Home - Catch Flying Insect Indoors with Suction, Bug Light & Sticky Glue (Black)
Price : $44.99
Features :

  • Triple trapping power, first the UV light attracts the bug then the fan sucks it in and the sticky glue boards trap it. No Zapper.
  • Subtle and stylish fruit fly, gnat and mosquito killer, no more ugly traps, easily place in your home, kitchen or office as a decorative, stylish piece.
  • Trap indoors, close to insect-ridden fruit, plants or trash bin, turn off lights for best results.
  • Not effective on house flies.
  • Easy to use, choose between standard or low speed setting and leave it to work its magic, EPA Est. Numb.:93372-CHN-1

Additional Info :

Color Black
Item Dimensions
Height 9.1 Inches
Width 5.5 Inches
Length 5.5 Inches
Mighty Mint - 16oz Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil - Natural Spray for Spiders, Ants, and More - Non Toxic
Price : $18.98
Features :

  • Safe
  • Extra Concentrated for Long-Lasting Protection
  • Natural Ingredients Proven Effective in the Real World
  • Large 16oz Bottle
  • Powerful Essential Oil

Additional Info :

Item Dimensions
Weight 1 pounds

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