Dark-edged Bee-fly | Hainault Forest

Dark-edged Bee Fly

Bombylius major

The Bee Fly is a harmless two-winged insect that resembles a small bumblebee about 12mm long. The long proboscis is used for drinking nectar and does not sting. This species is usually seen in spring resting on leaf litter or hovering above flowers. Its larvae eat bee and wasp larvae.