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Hoverfly

Volucella bombylans var. plunata

Photo by Jeannette
Published on Project Noah
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55.6526, 12.3024

Field Notes

Description:

This species occurs in several forms each of which mimics a species of Bumble bee (Batesian mimicry). The two main varieties are Volucella bombylans var. bombylans, showing an orange-red tail, mimicking the Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and Volucella bombylans var. plunata with a white tail, mimicking the White-tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus lucorum) and the Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

Habitat:

These hoverflies can be found in forest edges and clearings, in woodland margins, in hedgerows, in meadows and in urban wasteland or gardens, usually sunning itself on a leaf. They are fast fliers.

Notes:

Found in grass near cropland...

Reference Links:

Volucella bombylans

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)
Jeannette
Thank you Lars :) It was very special it looked liked a bumblebee but there was something strange about the way it flew....
LarsKorb
Nice - never thought a Hoverfly could mimic a bumblebee.
Jeannette
Thank you Keith :) I have my doubts too. The eyes looks like it's a fly, but the mouth look like it's a bee. And I remeber it flew like a humblebee, I was sure it was a humblebee, and anoyed I didn't get a topshot so I could tell which one, but now when I see the eyes I am not sure at all. There is also this one, but it hasn't got the same mouth I think http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/11962053

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Photographed
PublishedJuly 6, 2012

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