ExploreInsects

Tapered Drone Fly

Eristalis pertinax

The Tapered Drone Fly is a friendly insect that looks like a bee but is not one! It has a long, slender body and loves to visit flowers to sip sweet nectar.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Tapered Drone Fly has a black body with distinctive yellow bands on its abdomen and a fuzzy, bee-like appearance. Its wings have noticeable dark markings, particularly a dark patch near the tip. It also possesses short, dark antennae.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilySyrphidaeGenusEristalis
Tapered Drone Fly
furry trait badgesocial trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Tapered Drone Fly

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Despite looking like a bee, they are completely harmless and cannot sting you at all.

Scientists study how they fly to invent better robotic drones and aircraft.

Their babies, called rat-tailed maggots, live underwater with a snorkel-like tail!

They can even fly backwards and sideways, showing amazing aerial control!

Special abilities

Ability

Aerial Acrobats

Tapered Drone Fly can hover perfectly still and fly backward because of its powerful wing muscles that help them find flowers.

Ability

Aquatic Breath-tube

Tapered Drone Fly larvae have a long 'snorkel' tail that helps them breathe air while living underwater in murky puddles.

Ability

Hidden Pollinator

Tapered Drone Fly has fuzzy bodies that help them accidentally transfer pollen between flowers as they drink nectar.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
18-28 mm
Size
10-14 mm
Lifespan
15-30 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers; larvae filter decaying matter from water.

Age differences: Larvae are detritivores, filter-feeding on decaying organic matter in stagnant water; adults are herbivores, feeding on nectar and pollen.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • pollen
  • decaying organic matter
  • algae

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Birds often prey on adult drone flies.

pollinates

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Adults gather nectar and pollen from common garden flowers.

eaten by

Common Frog

Rana temporaria

Frogs are opportunistic predators of various insects.

depends on

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Its bee-like appearance deters predators, benefiting from bees' reputation.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't touch insects without asking an adult, but watching them is safe and fun!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tapered Drone Fly's wingspan?

18-28 mm

How big is Tapered Drone Fly?

10-14 mm

How long does Tapered Drone Fly live?

15-30 days

How fast can Tapered Drone Fly fly?

20 km/h

What does Tapered Drone Fly eat?

Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers; larvae filter decaying matter from water.

Where is Tapered Drone Fly usually found?

Urban areas

How does Tapered Drone Fly hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Tapered Drone Fly have?

6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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