The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Some are colloquially known as bomber flies . Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen , some being important pollinators .

Seeing the dark-edged bee-fly hover in mid-air, some people describe it as a tiny, fluffy, flying narwhale. It has a hairy little body and face, and a very long, straw-like tongue. At a glance, it's easy to mistake one for a bee. But these small fluffy creatures buzzing around looking for nectar are actually flies.

Dark-edged bee-flies have round, furry bodies and hairy legs. They are golden-brown in colour but get their common name from the dark markings visible on the leading edges of their wings. The most striking feature of this insect is its long proboscis (tongue), which is often mistaken for a stinger. Adults can grow to 1.8cm in length.

These are flies of the genus Bombylius, members of a large family of flies, Bombyliidae, known as bee flies. Bombylius flies are widely distributed in the northern hemisphere; they are found in North America as well as in Europe and Asia.

Bombylius major (commonly named the large bee-fly, the dark-edged bee-fly or the greater bee fly) is a parasitic bee mimic fly. B. major is the most common type of fly within the Bombylius genus. The fly derives its name from its close resemblance to …

bee fly, any insect of the family Bombyliidae (order Diptera). Many resemble bees, and most have long proboscises (feeding organs) that are used to obtain nectar from flowers.

The dark-edged bee-fly, or 'large bee-fly', looks rather like a bumblebee, with a long, straight proboscis that it uses to feed on nectar from spring flowers, such as primroses and violets. It is on the wing in the early spring, when it can often be seen in sunny patches.

The bee fly is an insect belonging to the Bombyliidae family. Bee flies are so named because some Bombyliidae species closely resemble bees. Bombyliidae are members of the Diptera order, which is part of the Insecta class. The Bombyliidae family contains at least 4,500 species, including the bee fly. [1]

Dec 19, 2024 · The Bee Flies (Diptera: Bombyliidae) of Ontario, with a Key to the Species of Eastern Canada

Jun 30, 2020 · A common and widespread bee fly, often seen taking nectar on early spring wildflowers or seen hovering in sunny patches in woodlands. Pile can be brown, yellow, or white. Wings with dark leading edge, hyaline trailing edge with sharp dividing border.