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Greater Bee Fly

Bombylius major

Published on Project Noah
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33.025, -117.01

Field Notes

Description:

"The adult is 14 to 18 millimetres (0.55 to 0.71 in) in length, squat and very hairy, with a wingspan of around 24 mm (0.94 in). It has dark patches on the anterior half of the wings and long hairy legs that dangle while in flight. Bearing an extremely strong resemblance to bees their body is stout and furry, with the top of the thorax being black and shiny and the pile either brown, yellow, or white. They have long spindly legs as well as a long rigid proboscis found in the front of the head. The very long proboscis is used to feed on the nectar of many species of flower, especially primroses." - Wikipedia

Habitat:

Along stream drinking from mud at Blue Sky Ecological Reserve

Notes:

"Bee flies are expert flyers, and their hovering habit has led to their being incorrectly called a species of hoverfly (Syrphidae). - Wikipedia

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