The Dark-edged Bee-fly Bombylius major is one of those great insects that easily conjures up the sense where has it been on our clutches before because its bee look works soo efficiently. One of the ants’ best defenses against would-be predators might be making themselves look like beetles; and this fella is doing a pretty good job.
A Master of Disguise
The body is covered in fur, the proboscis long and acting as a large white nozzle to target individual flowers accurately, it flies like a buzzz bee but with luxurious slowness all attributes of our British bumblebee. One is that this fly us entirely harmless and does not sting. This is an example of Batesian mimicry, in which a benign species imitates the dangerous appearance of another to avoid being lunch.
A Unique Life Cycle
The life cycle of the Dark Edged Bee-fly is perhaps even more remarkable. Females fly over the nests of solitary bees and wasps, depositing their eggs into or near entrance. After they hatch, the larvae of parasitic species enter a host nest and feed on either the developing brood or larval provisions.
A Pollinator’s Friend
Although a parasite, pollination is dependant on Dark-edged Bee-flies. As they consume nectar of numerous flowers pollen sticks to their body and the insects carry it from one flower to another, therefore helping in pollination.
Soon I will write about how to get them, and here is what they are… How To Lure Dark-edged Bee-fly
Plant a blend of nectar-rich flowers such as primroses, violets and bluebells to draw these interesting insects into your garden. It is also a good idea to leave areas of Patch soil as the female lays their eggs in this flesh over. **
If we were to find out what makes this insect so special and how dark-edge bee-flies fit into the ecosystem, then only might we appreciate all that these insects really do for us.