Britains Humming Bird

[British Red]

I have posted this in my normal "Images from Hampshire" thread, but I thought, given that the thread in question always takes an age to load, that I'd give this picture a thread of its own.

I've been after a decent picture of this wee fellah for a while. A fantastic piece of nectar eating evolution - looks like a bee in flight, but its actually a fly - the aptly named "Bee-Fly".

Check out that proboscis!

Red

 

[jojo]

I haven't noticed these before, even if I have seen them without knowing what they are(does that make any sense ) Are they native to this country or have they arrived recently. Very good photo, Red. How big is the beasty?

 

[British Red]

Yup they are native - about half an inch long although in flight they are so similar to a bee they are hard to spot the oddly wedged shape is the giveaway though

They actually live as parastites in the nests of solitary bees where they eat the grubs and food stores.

Fantastic looking things though huh?

Red

 

[jojo]

Yes they are. I'll keep my eyes peeled. It's got spots on its wings and that may helps to see it, not in flight though

 

[Toddy]

Cheers Red, I've never seen one totally new beastie to me.

Spotted wings always make me think about clegs miserable brutes

Toddy

 

[jojo]

Pardon my ignorance but what's a clegg

 

[bushtank]

Pardon my ignorance but what's a clegg

A Clegg is a type of horse fly and a real nuisance they approach silently and give a nice bite

 

[Hiker]

This is a new one to me too , ive seen a few humming bird moths down south as they migrate from europe but never even heard of theses .

Interesting thanks red .

 

[chas brookes]

I have seen these Bee Flys feeding on the nectar on a crab apple tree today, they are feeding alongside bees and hoverflies, but are much more selective in the flowers they are feeding on. I can only guess with their long proboscis they can reach nectar the other insects can not

 

[British Red]

Great to see aren't they - really interesting little guys!

Red

 

[JonnyP]

Challenge for you Red.......Now try to get a photograph of the hummingbird hawk moth.....I have seen a few, but trying to get a photo, is another matter. Its another day flying moth..... http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=1469

 

[British Red]

Happy to try Jon - I'm not sure I have ever seen one tbh but I'll go for it.

Got some nice insect shots today!

Red