Is it a bug...is it a bee?

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 Queenie 11 Apr 2021

I just spotted this beastie in the garden. Sluggish and seems to be waiting for the sun's rays to warm it up. Can anyone identify it please? Long, pointy proboscis and a white tum. Honey bee size.


 wintertree 11 Apr 2021
In reply to Queenie:

We saw one last week for the time.  Dr Wintertree found it eventually on google and reckons it’s a fly that mimics a bee for some reason but that has no sting.  


OP Queenie 11 Apr 2021

Ah that's great, thanks guys. The proboscis is not as threatening as it seems then.  I like this extract from TDB's link: "In parts of East Anglia, locals refer to them as beewhals, thanks to their tusk-like appendages. "

 nathan79 11 Apr 2021
In reply to Queenie:

Beewhal is a great name for them! Seeing a lot of pictures of bee flies at the moment but frustratingly I have yet to come across any myself.

 Lankyman 11 Apr 2021
In reply to Queenie:

Wood wasps look similarly alarming. The first time I recall seeing one (Scotland I think) I was quite worried, thinking I was in danger.

 Billhook 11 Apr 2021
In reply to Queenie:

https://www.brc.ac.uk/soldierflies-and-allies/bee-flies?fbclid=IwAR1Sl45_lR...

Dark Edged bee flies have been reported recently a couple of times near where I live near Whitby.

 MG 11 Apr 2021
In reply to Queenie:

Hmmph. The entire world except me seems to have bee flies!

 Toerag 12 Apr 2021
In reply to MG:

> Hmmph. The entire world except me seems to have bee flies!

A few have been posted in Channel islands insect groups recently too :-p .

 Dave Garnett 12 Apr 2021
In reply to MG:

> Hmmph. The entire world except me seems to have bee flies!

Frustratingly, I've never seen one either, despite having various other specimens of bee-impersonating flies on my bookshelf! 


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