Bee fly

Description:

Bee flies are a member of the kingdom Animalia and class Insecta. They are commonly found in a variety of sizes, from a couple of milometers to a 30 millimeter wingspan. They are important pollinators for many species of plants and their resemblance to bees help protect the adults from predators since they look like stinging bees. In some Asian countries, inhabitants call them beewhals because their proboscis is large. When the Bee Fly is feeding, it rests its front legs on the flower and never actually lands on the plant.

Habitat:

The insects prefer sunny areas with lots of flowers since their main source of food is pollen.

Notes:

This specimen was found collecting pollen from a dandelion on the side of a sidewalk. Elizabeth Green