Hoverfly

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...