Skip to main content
Close

Bee-Fly

Bombylius

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

35.9173, -82.301

Field Notes

Description:

This photo was taken by my mother. These two Bee-Flies were flying around attached together & then landed on her deck. I got her permission to submit it :)
All species in the genus share a similarity with the unrelated bees and bumblebees, which they mimic, possessing a thick coat of fur, with a colour ranging from yellow to orange. They can, however, be told apart from their models by the long and stiff proboscis they possess, used for probing for nectar as they fly (much like a hummingbird), by their rapid and darting flight, and by the peculiar structure of their legs.[2] As larvae, they are parasitic and infest the nests of solitary bees, consuming their food stores and grubs.[2]

Habitat:

Porch Deck in Eastern mountains of North Carolina.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (8)

Thank you, Sarah....I enjoyed your Bee-Fly photo, very, very much. I love your Bee-Fly photo, very, very much. Your Bee-Fly photo, is a very interesting, a very unique, and a very beautiful photo. Thank you, Sarah, for putting your Bee-Fly photo, on the computer. Thank you, Sarah....
You are welcome, maplemoth! I am glad you enjoyed it!!
Your welcome, SarahWhitt...Yes, this is a very interesting photo, and I love this photo....Thank you, for putting this very interesting photo, on the computer....
I thought it was quite interesting too, maplemoth!! Thank you!!
A very interesting photo, and a beautiful photo....
I agree with you. Had never seen them before my Mom's pic! Very interesting!
Thanks, Sarah for directing me to your pics. The Bee Fly's sure have a variety of appearances.
Photographed
PublishedMay 17, 2011

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