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Bombylius major
A common and widespread bee fly, often seen taking nectar on early spring wildflowers or seen hovering in sunny patches in woodlands. Pile can be brown, yellow, or white. Wings with dark leading edge, hyaline trailing edge with sharp dividing border. This is the only Nearctic Bombylius species with this wing pattern (Hall and Evenhuis). Size of body 12-18 mm; wingspan to 25 mm
Wooded trail beside Lake Lewisville. Several others were hovering
Larvae are parasitoids of the larvae of solitary bees such as Andrena species (Andrenidae).
3 Comments
great pic!
A fly that is a good bee mimic. I love to see them feed on flowers with that straight needle mouth. :)
what a great Bee :)