Hover flies generally mimic bees and wasps and therefore often cause panic when encountered, but they do not bite or sting. Many people will incorrectly refer to them as “sweat bees,” which do exist and can sting, but hover flies are harmless and fairly easy to distinguish with a bit of practice.

Do hover bees bite or sting?

Hover flies, with their yellow markings, resemble wasps or bees but do not bite or sting. They are distinguished from other flies by a false (spurious) vein that closely parallels the fourth longitudinal wing vein.

Can hover flies hurt you?

Hoverflies are actually helpful flies that are important for organic gardening and pest control. ... Although the hoverflies might worry you because they do resemble wasps, they will not hurt you and they cannot bite or sting. If it is possible to let them live in your garden, they will do more good than harm.