Bee fly

[Georgie]

Spotted my first ever of this species in the garden today, on a Primula.  I've probably had them for years and mistaken them for bees but it was thanks to an article in Gardeners' World magazine that I was able to identify it.  They are not good news tho' really are they?

G x

[Georgie]

[goodlife]

Do you mean..drone fly..looking same as honey bee....?

Oh they are ok...no harm..if not that much good neither..well birds will eat them..and maybe they do little pollination too...

[Georgie]

Bombylius major - I gather they lay eggs in the nests of solitary bees and cause havoc?

G x

[goodlife]

I just had a look into a book.. yep not good news..but still...we can't get rid of them..I should think they have their purpose too.. ::)

[theothermarg]

just looked it up as well. it does look like a bee doesn't it?
marg

[Vortex]

I had one in my greenhouse on Sunday - meant to look it up and never got around to it - now I know what it was.