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Bumble Bee Hover Fly

Volucella bombylans

The Bumble Bee Hover Fly looks like a bumblebee but is actually a fly! It loves to visit flowers and helps them grow by spreading pollen.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Bumble Bee Hover Fly has a fuzzy, stout body with black and yellow or orange bands, closely mimicking a bumblebee. It possesses large compound eyes and very short antennae, visually distinguishing it from true bees.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilySyrphidaeGenusVolucella
Bumble Bee Hover Fly
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Bumble Bee Hover Fly

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Wow! Its babies are amazing gardeners, munching on tiny plant-eating insects!

Wow! Its colors can change to mimic different local bumblebees!

Wow! This 'bee' only has two wings, not four like a real one!

Wow! This clever fly can even fly backward while hovering!

Special abilities

Ability

Disguise Master

Bumble Bee Hover Fly has a fuzzy, banded body that mimics venomous bumblebees to scare away predators.

Ability

Air Acrobot

Bumble Bee Hover Fly can hover perfectly still in mid-air, allowing precise flower visits and escape maneuvers.

Ability

Pest Patrol

Bumble Bee Hover Fly larvae can eat many tiny garden pests, helping plants grow strong.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
20-35 mm
Size
10-18 mm
Lifespan
15-60 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers, while their larvae are mighty pest hunters.

Age differences: Larvae are carnivores, eating aphids; adults feed on nectar and pollen.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • pollen
  • aphids
  • soft-bodied insects

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Bumblebee Fly

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These flies are friendly and won't sting, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bumble Bee Hover Fly's wingspan?

20-35 mm

How big is Bumble Bee Hover Fly?

10-18 mm

How long does Bumble Bee Hover Fly live?

15-60 days

How fast can Bumble Bee Hover Fly fly?

20 km/h

What does Bumble Bee Hover Fly eat?

Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers, while their larvae are mighty pest hunters.

Where is Bumble Bee Hover Fly usually found?

Urban areas

How does Bumble Bee Hover Fly hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Bumble Bee Hover Fly have?

6

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