David Element
Wildlife
Photography and Digital Video Images
______________________________________________________________________________________ ___ Flies 7 – Bumblebee Hoverflies
BUMBLEBEE HOVERFLY Volucella
bombylans (f)
BUMBLEBEE HOVERFLY Volucella
bombylans (f)
BUMBLEBEE
HOVERFLY Volucella
bombylans
(f)
BUMBLEBEE HOVERFLY Volucella
bombylans form plumata
(f)
BUMBLEBEE HOVERFLY Volucella
bombylans form plumata
(m)
BUMBLEBEE
HOVERFLY Volucella
bombylans
form plumata (f)
BUMBLEBEE HOVERFLY Volucella bombylans form plumata (m)
- The handsome Bumblebee
Hoverfly Volucella bombylans is, as both the vernacular and
scientific names suggest, an extremely convincing Batesian mimic of more
than one species of bumble bee, even taking this subterfuge to the extent
of existing in several colour forms (polymorphic), the commonest of which
have been illustrated above. These hoverflies possess excellent all-round
vision, and they need to be approached carefully to avoid disturbing them
when taking their photographs. Their plumose (feathery) aristae are
rather spectacular too, with large surface areas that are presumably
sensitive pheromone detectors. The flies are most likely to be seen sunning
themselves on the marginal vegetation of woodlands.
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