Skip to main content
Close

Volucella elegans

Volucella elegans

Photo by arlanda
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

40.7503, -4.06985

Field Notes

Description:

Looks like a bee or a wasp but it is a fly. In spite of its colours it has no sting and no poison. It is a fly disguised as a wasp!
Volucella is a genus of large, broad-bodied, dramatic hover-flies. They have distinctive plumose aristas and the face is extended downward. They are strongly migratory and males are often territorial. Adults feed on nectar of flowers and are often seen sunning on leaves. The larvae of most species live in nests of bumblebees and social wasps, where they are detritivores and larval predators.
The black spot hat can be seen on the middle of the wings distinguish V. elegans from the very similar V. inanis

Habitat:

Spotted in a garden, close to the mountains. Sierra de Guadarrama

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/200 sec.; f/7.1; ISO Speed Rating: 200. Focal Length: 300.0 mm.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment

Sign in to comment

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon