Best time to see: late Mar to end Apr
Key facts
A hairy fly that looks like a bee, with a long proboscis that it uses to feed on nectar
The dark-edged bee-fly is the most common of several UK species, but scarcer in the north
Usually seen in early spring taking nectar from flowers such as primroses and violets
Recognition
Squat, hairy body, russet-coloured, with very long tongue; fast, darting and hovering flight
Dark-edged has clear wings with dark band on the leading edge; dotted has clear wings with dark spots
Up to 18mm long; wingspan 25mm
Lifecycle
The adult female flicks eggs into the nests of ground-nesting solitary bees
On hatching they parasitise the larvae of the host bee, emerging as adults in spring
© Tony Gunton
© Pat Allen
© gailhampshire