Spring migrants are arriving - Swifts arrived yesterday, one of the latest. However there are other stirrings. Insects are emerging - some Butterflies have overwintered as adults but other insects have remained in the pupal stage until now. Such as the Dark-edged Bee-fly. The lain name is a bit of a giveaway. It is in the genus Bombylius. Without knowing the higher classification it sound like a Bumble bee, however it is a fly with a strong connection to bumble bees since it parasitises them. Fortunately is is harmless to us, in fact it is a pollinator so should be encouraged. The long proboscis is used for feeding and cannot be used as an offensive weapon. I did not know this species in my youth - it is one responding to warmers Springs. |