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 most common of several species found throughout the UK, 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; clear wings with dark band on the leading edge
Fast, darting and hovering flight
Up to 18mm long; wingspan 25mm
Lifecycle
The adult female flicks eggs into the nests of solitary bees in the genus Andrena
On hatching they parasitise the larvae of the host bee, emerging as adults in spring
© Tony Gunton
© Pat Allen