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Hornet Mimic Hoverfly

Volucella zonaria

Photo by PedroNicolau
Published on Project Noah
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39.4687, -8.43729

Field Notes

Description:

I almost mistook this huge hoverfly for a Large Earth Bumblebee at the first look!

I could also be a Volucella elegans, but I don't know how to distinguish both species.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)

Thank you, Lauren. Hmmm I'd say this one sounded, in fact, like a Hornet... But I can't be sure. Are they 2 different species?
The Syrphid that mimics the Honey Bee also mimics the wing beat, making it sound like a Honey Bee to potential predators. Did this one sound like a Bumble Bee or a Hornet?

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