The sun fly (Helophilus pendulus)—affectionately known as the footballer hoverfly—is one of Europe’s most charming and easily recognizable insects. Sporting bold, vertical black-and-yellow stripes across its chest that look remarkably like a classic retro football kit, this colorful meadow visitor is an absolute delight to photograph. Despite belonging to the hoverfly family, this species doesn’t spend much time hovering at all. Instead, it moves with a slow, jerky flight path and prefers to spend its days walking across broad leaves or sunbathing in open clearings. When taking a quiet rest, they are even known to emit a soft, steady buzz that sounds like snoring! While most hoverfly males have giant eyes that touch at the top of their head, the sun fly breaks the rule book: both males and females keep a clear gap between their eyes. Their aquatic young—famously known as “rat-tailed maggots”—live in wet organic mud, using a long, telescopic tail like a snorkel to breathe air while feeding underwater. As adults, they wander far from the water to feast on nectar from ivy, shrubs, and wildflowers. I met this cute contestant—looking ready to win a “Miss Hoverfly” beauty pageant—in a vibrant, flowery meadow near Barkarby, Sweden!