Pied Hoverfly (Scaeva pyrastri)

Hovering motionless in mid-air with the poise of a tiny helicopter, the Pied Hoverfly (Scaeva pyrastri) is one of the more conspicuous and elegant flies found across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Its bold crescent-shaped white markings on a black body make identification straightforward - a rarity among hoverflies.

Pied Hoverflies are strong migrants, often appearing in large numbers in the British Isles during summer after crossing the English Channel from continental Europe. Adults feed on nectar and pollen, visiting a wide range of flowers and serving as effective pollinators. Their larvae, by contrast, are dedicated aphid predators - soft-bodied, slug-like grubs that patrol plant stems at night, consuming hundreds of aphids before pupating.

Hoverflies are among the most accomplished fliers in the insect world. Their ability to hover perfectly still, dart sideways, and even fly backwards is achieved through exceptionally fast wingbeats - up to 300 per second - and sophisticated sensory feedback systems. Many species, including the Pied Hoverfly, also benefit from a superficial resemblance to wasps, a form of Batesian mimicry that deters predators despite the fly being entirely harmless. It is a double life of quiet usefulness: pollinator by day, pest controller by night, defended by a disguise.

Bugs is a collection of natural history illustration prints drawn from the insect world - beetles, flies, bugs, butterflies, and moths selected for the strangeness, beauty, and variety of their forms.

Each illustration is adapted from Simon Tyler's book Bugs, published by Pavilion in 2017 and subsequently published in French and Chinese. The series draws on the tradition of scientific natural history illustration - precise, considered, and attentive to the details that make each species distinctive.

Insects account for the majority of all known animal species on Earth. This collection is a small survey of what that diversity looks like.

All prints are produced to order on 250gsm archival matte paper using pigment-based inks, chosen for colour accuracy and long-term stability.

Each print is rolled in acid-free tissue and shipped in a rigid cardboard tube, sealed for moisture protection, ready for framing on arrival.

Large · 50 × 70 cm · 20 × 28 in

XLarge · 70 × 100 cm · 28 × 40 in

UK: Free · 3-5 working days

Europe: €8.50 · 3-7 working days · No customs charges

USA & Canada: $8.95 / $12.00 CAD · 5-10 working days

Australia: $14.00 AUD · 5-10 working days

Rest of World: £14.95 · 7-14 working days

All prints are produced to order and dispatched within 1-3 working days. Orders placed before 5pm GMT ship the same day. You'll receive tracking information by email once dispatched.

Orders outside Europe may be subject to local customs charges on delivery - these are the responsibility of the recipient.

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Returns accepted within 30 days. Email returns@axisophy.com with your order number and we'll provide return instructions.

Return postage is the customer's responsibility except where the print arrives damaged or there's been an error - in which case we'll arrange a replacement or refund immediately, no return needed.

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