The genus Helophilus includes numerous species including this month's bug of the month. It is one of numerous hover or flower flies. Many of them look like bees and wasps, however they only have one pair of wings (bees and wasps have two). All hover flies in this genus have a striped thorax (part between the head and body) and stripes on the abdomen (body) which go in the opposite direction. With magnificent wings, it makes for a stunning insect as you can see.

To see more images and information on Hover Flies, visit the Inn's Hover Fly page.