hoverfly
noun
hov·er·fly
ˈhə-vər-ˌflī 
ˈhä-
: any of a family (Syrphidae) of dipteran flies that are noted for frequenting flowers and hovering at one place in the air and include some whose larvae prey on plant lice
called also syrphid fly
Examples of hoverfly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Studies have shown that planting sweet alyssum in lettuce fields can reduce the numbers of aphids and boost populations of beneficial hoverfly larvae.
—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
28 Feb. 2026
Ye Fei Zhang / Nikon Small WorldA spotted eye hoverfly, also known as a flower fly.
—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
17 Oct. 2025
The quality of hoverfly mimicry can vary– from detailed disguises to the insect equivalent of slapping on a pair of cat ears for a Halloween party.
—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
2 July 2025
To glean insights from the hoverfly, the team spent more than a decade carefully studying the neuronal pathways of its eyes and measuring their electrical responses to light.
—
Monique Brouillette,
Scientific American,
20 Apr. 2022
There have also been reports of great hoverfly migrations in the US, Nepal and Australia, suggesting that the phenomenon is widespread.
—
Stephanie Pain,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Mar. 2021
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Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
28 Feb. 2026
Ye Fei Zhang / Nikon Small WorldA spotted eye hoverfly, also known as a flower fly.
—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
17 Oct. 2025
The quality of hoverfly mimicry can vary– from detailed disguises to the insect equivalent of slapping on a pair of cat ears for a Halloween party.
—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
2 July 2025
To glean insights from the hoverfly, the team spent more than a decade carefully studying the neuronal pathways of its eyes and measuring their electrical responses to light.
—
Monique Brouillette,
Scientific American,
20 Apr. 2022
There have also been reports of great hoverfly migrations in the US, Nepal and Australia, suggesting that the phenomenon is widespread.
—
Stephanie Pain,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Mar. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Hoverfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoverfly. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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