Drone Fly

Description:

The adult fly that emerges from the pupa is harmless. It looks somewhat like a drone honey bee, and likely gains some degree of protection from this resemblance to a stinging insect. The adults are called drone flies because of this resemblance. Like other hover flies, they are common visitors to flowers, especially in late summer and autumn, and can be significant pollinators. In its natural habitat, E. tenax is more of a curiosity than a problem, and the adults are beneficial pollinators. Large (wingspan 15mm), stocky, bee mimic. Eyes are marbled in black. Males have hovering displays.

Habitat:

In our garden on the sunflower we had this year.