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Dark-edged Bee fly (Bombylius major)
About this time of year, I often see photos of the bee-fly with enquiries as to the name of this dangerous looking beastie.
It is of course, totally harmless (unless you're a mining bee) and it's one of the of the insects I look out for in March every year, because once this little critter emerges, you can bank on the arrival of spring.
Watch it in action and read about it, here:
The Large Bee-fly, "Bombylius major", is a bee mimic. The eggs are flicked by the adult female toward the entrance of the underground nests of solitary bees and wasps. After hatching, the larvae find their way into the nests to feed on the grubs.
Similar species: True Flies
By Philip Booker
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Uploaded Mar 27, 2021. Captured Mar 27, 2021 11:29 in 33 Crespin Way, Brighton BN1 7FG, UK.
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