Bee fly

Found in open, sunny areas, woodland edges, and meadows near flowering plants.

Adults feed on floral nectar using a long proboscis. Larva are parasitoids of solitary bees and wasps.

Noted for hovering rapidly in mid-air like a hummingbird. Females flick eggs near the burrow entrances of host insects.

Harmless to humans and act as important pollinators. Larvae can reduce populations of native solitary bees.