If you do some more googling on hoverflies or syrphids, you'll soon find lots of information....and it will all be good.

(I could just tell you but you did such a good job of finding the identity of this little fly, that I really want you to go all the way with it. If you just type in 'hoverfly ', you will have a world of information in just one click. Let me know if you need any help...but I know you won't.)

Thanks! You are right-- they are very beneficial, especially eating aphids. And I had no idea that there were so many species, such as ones that look like honey bees, wasps and many others. I'd assumed the bees I'd seen hovering around were just that - bees - but perhaps another species of syrphid. I had an infestation of thrips last summer - perhaps these will keep them at bay this year if they are the type to eat them, too.