Hoverfly

Description:

This species occurs in several forms, each of which mimics a species of bumblebee (Batesian mimicry). Batesian mimicry is a form of mimicry typified by a situation where a harmless species has evolved to imitate the warning signals of a harmful species directed at a common predator. The one in the spottings may be Volucella bombylans var. bombylans, which show an orange-red tail, mimicking the Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius). Other subespecies have different colorations and mimic other bumblebees.

Habitat:

Vegetation near lakes and forest.