Amazing insect spotted today

[yak face]

Hi all just had to share this . I was sitting relaxing with a cold beer when I heard a high pitched buzzing behind me , when I looked there was this amazing looking insect hovering in front of my Aubretia looking for all the world like a tiny hummingbird with its long beak . I was gobsmacked and have since found out it is a Dark Edged Bee Fly ( bombylius major ) ,a common ,harmless nectar feeding fly that mimics the look of a bee for protection . Just goes to show that if you stop and look wonder is all around ( isn’t that a song ?!) anyway here’s a pic , I’ll try and get the video on too.

 

[yak face]

Just figured out how to load a video so , see above

 

[papa 695]

Had some damsel flies mating in my pond today

 

[adt70hk]

Hi all just had to share this . I was sitting relaxing with a cold beer when I heard a high pitched buzzing behind me , when I looked there was this amazing looking insect hovering in front of my Aubretia looking for all the world like a tiny hummingbird with its long beak . I was gobsmacked and have since found out it is a Dark Edged Bee Fly ( bombylius major ) ,a common ,harmless nectar feeding fly that mimics the look of a bee for protection . Just goes to show that if you stop and look wonder is all around ( isn’t that a song ?!) anyway here’s a pic , I’ll try and get the video on too.

Very cool!!! Not to mention unusual.

 

[Jim R]

Tony and Ian
You are so right. If you sit still and quiet there are wonders to see. That fly/bee is indeed like a humming bird. My wife and I went to a large garden centre this morning. A robin joined us at our table while we had a coffee and there were bright blue damsel flies (?) hovering over a pond.
Jim

 

[GerryW]

Had some damsel flies mating in my pond today
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Had two fly through the house earlier today, obviously enjoying themselves

 

[Archetype]

See those occasionally Tony. Infrequently enough to remain intriguing though!

I was out fly fishing last week and snapped this monster relaxing in the grass.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Nice emperor dragonfly Chris. I had one of those hatch out of my pond last year....fantastic creatures.....

 

[BattleshipBob]

Had some damsel flies mating in my pond today
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Dirty beasts, should have thrown a thimble of water over them lol

 

[Archetype]

Talking of damselflies doing what rabbits do…I witnessed a female emerge, rise to the surface, and promptly get mobbed by half a dozen males!

 

[Mark1]

Talking of damselflies doing what rabbits do…I witnessed a female emerge, rise to the surface, and promptly get mobbed by half a dozen males!

Sounds like a nightclub in used to go to!

 

[JR]

Those Dark Edged Bee Fly ( bombylius major ) also lays its egg in a solitary bee or wasp nests. After hatching, the larvae parasitically feed on the host insects grubs.