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Produce => Wildlife forum => Topic started by: Georgie on April 12, 2010, 22:10:48

Title: Bee fly
Post by: Georgie on April 12, 2010, 22:10:48
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
Title: Re: Bee fly
Post by: goodlife on April 12, 2010, 22:14:29
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...
Title: Re: Bee fly
Post by: Georgie on April 12, 2010, 22:27:13
Bombylius major - I gather they lay eggs in the nests of solitary bees and cause havoc?

G x
Title: Re: Bee fly
Post by: goodlife on April 13, 2010, 14:34:13
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.. ::)
Title: Re: Bee fly
Post by: theothermarg on April 13, 2010, 18:44:37
just looked it up as well. it does look like a bee doesn't it?
marg
Title: Re: Bee fly
Post by: Vortex on April 15, 2010, 19:42:37
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.