Bug FAQThree-lined Hover Fly
Helophilus seelandicus · Order: Diptera · Family: Syrphidae
The three-lined hover fly is about 15 mm long and shows three black lines behind its head. It is native to New Zealand and its larvae develop in water containing decaying plant material, animal matter or dung.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Three black lines are visible behind the head.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults measure roughly 15 mm in length.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
This species is endemic to New Zealand.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
How can I identify a three-lined hover fly?
Look for a fly about 15 mm long with three distinct black lines behind its head.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is the three-lined hover fly found?
It is native and found only in New Zealand.
Source: Wikipedia
What do the larvae of this hover fly live in?
The larvae develop in water that contains decaying plant material, animal matter, or dung.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Syrphidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helophilus_seelandicus
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-23.