# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 15 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Drone Fly ![Eurasian Drone Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/%28MHNT%29_Eristalis_arbustorum_on_Ammi_majus.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%28MHNT%29_Eristalis_arbustorum_on_Ammi_majus.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Syrphidae - **Genus:** Eristalis ## 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 - **Bee Impersonator:** Eurasian Drone Fly can look like a bumblebee because of its striped body and hairy appearance that helps them avoid predators. - **Flight Master:** Eurasian Drone Fly can hover perfectly still in mid-air because of its powerful wing muscles that helps them feed on flowers. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — A common garden bird that preys on adult drone flies. - **Eaten by:** [Cross Orbweaver](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cross-orbweaver) (*Araneus diadematus*) — Often trapped in spider webs while visiting flowers. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't try to catch or touch insects; just watch them from a distance! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Drone Fly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Forest Hill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/forest-hill-park) — Ohio, US · Park - [Fort Tryon Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-tryon-park) — New York, US · Park - [Garland Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garland-hill-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [Herring Run Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/herring-run-park) — Maryland, US · Park - [Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mitchell-park-horticultural-conservatory) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Eurasian Drone Fly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eurasian-drone-fly) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Eurasian Drone Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-drone-fly)