noun
hoverfly; syrphid
General term for hoverflies (family Syrphidae), often seen hovering around flowers.
庭でハナアブが花のまわりを飛んでいた。
A hoverfly was flying around the flowers in the garden.
noun
drone fly
Specifically refers to Eristalis tenax, a common species of hoverfly that resembles a honeybee.
ハナアブの一種であるオオハナアブは、ミツバチに似ている。
The drone fly, a type of hoverfly, resembles a honeybee.
Compound of 花 (hana, 'flower') and 虻 (abu, 'horsefly'), referring to a fly often found near flowers. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.