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Photo: G. Bradley |
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UK
Safari Tip:
Look for bee-flies flying around primroses on sunny days in April. They're one
of the first insects on the wing each spring.
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Latin name: Bombylius major
Size: 12 to 18mms long. Wingspan 25mms
Distribution: Found throughout the UK but more scarce in the north.
Months seen: April to June
Food: Nectar. Larvae feed on honey and the the larvae of bees
Habitat: Found in early spring around primroses
and bugle along woodland rides
Special features: Looks more like a bee than a fly - hence the name.
Like a bumble bee they are covered in hair. Bee-flies have a long proboscis for
drinking nectar from deep flowers. When at rest (which is rare) you notice the
wings have dark markings along the leading edges.
Bee-flies are expert flyers, and make a high pitched buzzing sound while they
hover around flowers, with their long, stilt-like legs dangling below them.
There are more than a dozen species of bee-fly in Britain. The one shown is the most
commonly seen.
UK Safari Creepy-Crawlies Section
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