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Bombylius major


Bombylius major

the greater bee fly. this is a semi parasitic fly. she lays her eggs at the entrance to solitary bee or wasps nests. when they crawl in the egg gets taken in. It hatches then feeds on the larvae



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Nature has its ways of surviving. Surely that Primula is early?

30 Mar, 2022

 

some are further on than others but this one was in a very sheltered spot.

30 Mar, 2022

 

Sbg, this is topical as I was reading about Flies in The Garden magazine yesterday, and centre stage is the Dark-edged bee-fly. Said to announce the arrival of Spring to our gardens and are important for early-flowering plants.
Mind you, the cold and windy weather weather today might just keep it snuggling up warm somewhere . . . :o)

31 Mar, 2022

 

yes we did wonder what it would be doing as we have a little snow today.
the dark edged and greater bee fly are the same critter. it does have dark edges on the leading edge of its wings.

31 Mar, 2022

 

Great close up, Eileen, very interesting info too.

29 Apr, 2022



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