Bee fly

Description:

Large fly about 16 – 17mm length. Thorax dorsal bald, flanked with thick orange/brown hair. Abdomen fat, tapering to rear. Black with a thinning white stripe on the second segment. Two pairs of white marks on the 4th and 5th segments. Wings steel blue (depending on viewing angle) and transparent. Arista on tip of antennae rather than side.

Habitat:

Adjacent to a small stream. Altitude 1000m.

Notes:

The fly is a pollen feeder, considered an important species for the survival of some plants. Not a great deal known about its life cycle, except that this family of flies are parasitic, laying their eggs in beetle holes, bee and wasp nests. Often seen on the ground, sitting up, holding its head high. Not sure of the reason for this, as it is not hunting for prey. Possibly a sun thing. More observation required.