# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Tapered Drone Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eristalis.pertinax.female.jpg&width=800) Photo: James K. Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eristalis.pertinax.female.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Syrphidae - **Genus:** Eristalis ## 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 - **Aerial Acrobats:** Tapered Drone Fly can hover perfectly still and fly backward because of its powerful wing muscles that help them find flowers. - **Aquatic Breath-tube:** Tapered Drone Fly larvae have a long 'snorkel' tail that helps them breathe air while living underwater in murky puddles. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Birds often prey on adult drone flies. - **Pollinates:** [Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 - [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. - [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 touch insects without asking an adult, but watching them is safe and fun! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Tapered 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Knowsley Safari Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/knowsley-safari-park) — England, GB · Zoo ## 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: [Tapered Drone Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tapered-drone-fly)