Do some flies look like bees?

Yes, some flies do look like bees, a phenomenon called mimicry. These flies are often referred to as bee mimics or hoverflies. They mimic the appearance, coloration, and even the flight patterns of bees, wasps, and other stinging insects to gain protection from predators. By resembling stinging insects, these flies deter predators who associate the coloration and markings with the risk of being stung.

Bee mimics are found in various parts of the world and belong to different fly families, such as Syrphidae and Bombyliidae. They often have black and yellow or orange markings similar to bees or wasps. Some bee mimics also exhibit behaviors that resemble the flight and movement patterns of bees, further enhancing their disguise.

The mimicry between certain flies and bees is an example of Batesian mimicry, where harmless species evolve to resemble more aggressive or dangerous species to gain protection. In this case, the flies benefit by deterring predators who avoid them due to their resemblance to stinging insects.

It is important to note that while bee mimics may look like bees, they do not sting or pose any harm to humans. They are harmless flies that use mimicry as a survival strategy.