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Eurasian Drone Fly

Eristalis arbustorum

The Eurasian Drone Fly is a friendly insect that looks like a bee but doesn't sting! It loves to visit flowers and helps them grow by spreading pollen.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Eurasian Drone Fly is a medium-sized, stout fly with a hairy, dark body marked with yellow-orange stripes on its abdomen. It has large reddish-brown eyes and short antennae. Its single pair of wings visibly distinguishes it from the two-winged bees it mimics.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilySyrphidaeGenusEristalis
Eurasian Drone Fly
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Eurasian Drone Fly

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Even though they look like bees, drone flies cannot sting people!

Its babies are called 'rat-tailed maggots' because of their long breathing tube!

These flies visit over 20 different types of flowers to find their sugary meals.

They can taste with their feet when they land on a flower!

Special abilities

Ability

Bee Impersonator

Eurasian Drone Fly can look like a bumblebee because of its striped body and hairy appearance that helps them avoid predators.

Ability

Flight Master

Eurasian Drone Fly can hover perfectly still in mid-air because of its powerful wing muscles that helps them feed on flowers.

Ability

Water Worm Wonder

Eurasian Drone Fly larvae can breathe underwater using a long 'tail' because of their unique siphon structure that helps them survive in murky water.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
18-25 mm
Size
10-15 mm
Lifespan
10-30 days
Flight Speed
10 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults feast on nectar and pollen from flowers, while their larvae filter-feed in watery places.

Age differences: Larvae (rat-tailed maggots) are detritivores, filtering microorganisms and decaying matter from stagnant water.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • pollen
  • honeydew

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Common Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Carries pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar.

pollinates

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

Visits spearmint flowers, helping to spread their pollen.

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

A common garden bird that preys on adult drone flies.

eaten by

Cross Orbweaver

Araneus diadematus

Often trapped in spider webs while visiting flowers.

Traits

Also known as

Drone Fly

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't try to catch or touch insects; just watch them from a distance!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eurasian Drone Fly's wingspan?

18-25 mm

How big is Eurasian Drone Fly?

10-15 mm

How long does Eurasian Drone Fly live?

10-30 days

How fast can Eurasian Drone Fly fly?

10 km/h

What does Eurasian Drone Fly eat?

Adults feast on nectar and pollen from flowers, while their larvae filter-feed in watery places.

Where is Eurasian Drone Fly usually found?

Urban areas

How does Eurasian Drone Fly hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Eurasian Drone Fly have?

6

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Where to spot

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