Common Drone Fly

Natural Habitat

Gardens, meadows, and areas with stagnant water or decaying organic matter

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on nectar and pollen; larvae (rat-tailed maggots) consume decaying organic material in stagnant water

Behavior Patterns

Known for hovering in place; mimics honey bees to deter predators (Batesian mimicry); larvae breathe through a long, telescopic tail tube

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem as a significant pollinator; larvae help decompose organic waste; no sting threat to humans

Identified on: 6/22/2026