Dark-edged Bee Fly (Bombylius major)

I snapped this Dark-edged Bee Fly basking in the sunshine earlier in the week. These flies emerge in March and and are very fast fliers, unless you are lucky enough to catch one taking a rest. They lay their eggs in bees nests where the bee fly’s larvae eat the larvae of the bees. The long snout looks menacing, but it is just to take nectar from flowers. I didn’t see any at all last year as early Spring here was so miserable, so this one is appreciated!

Bee Fly / Bombylius major

A proper Spring day brought our more insects, including this Dark-edged Bee Fly that was sunbathing on the fence, just next to the insect hotel. These flies are parasites of solitary bees, laying their eggs in the nests pf solitary mining and mason bees. They appear in the spring at the same time as the first mining bees. Usually bee flies are quite difficult to photograph as they fly really fast, but it was still quite cold at lunchtime when I saw this one, so it did not seem too bothered by me getting up close with my phone to get a photo.

#443 Dark-edged Bee Fly (Bombylius major)

Pollinators & Plum Blossom

A variety of insects are quickly appearing now the plum is in full bloom and the sun is out. The blossom is attracting pollinating flies, the first Drone Flies and this hoverfly, Meliscaeva auricollis (#558), a small dark species that is one of the earliest emerging hoverflies. There are some more bees about too, and a couple of Dark-edged Bee Flies (Bombylius major). The Bee Flies hover to take nectar, so I was happy this one actually sat still long enough on the sunlit wall for me to get a photo.

#558 Meliscaeva auricollis on Plum blossom

Pollinating Fly on Plum Blossom

#443 Bee Fly (Bombylius major)

379 Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax)