A fly that feeds on flower nectar and pollen, often resembling a bee or wasp in appearance.
Compound of 'flower' and 'fly,' describing insects that are attracted to and depend on flowers for food. This term emerged as naturalists categorized insects by their feeding habits.
Flower flies are master mimics—many perfectly copy the stripes and shapes of bees or wasps to scare predators, but they're completely harmless and are actually excellent pollinators!
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