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BugGuide Gathering
Pack Forest
Washington State
July 10-12, 2009
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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » Aschiza » Syrphid Flies (Syrphidae) » Eristalinae » Eristalini » Eristalis » Subgenus Eristalis (Eristalis Subgenus Eristalis) » Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax)
Photo#347667
Excellent Honeybee Mimic - Eristalis tenax - female
Copyright © 2009 Natalie McNear

Excellent Honeybee Mimic - Eristalis tenax - Female
Marin County, California, USA
October 30, 2009
Size: 15 mm length
I found this fly visiting a rose, and I was stunned at how closely it resembles a honeybee. I have shots of pretty much every part of this fly's body, so if you need to see a specific body part for identification just let me know.

Images of this individual: tag all
Excellent Honeybee Mimic - Eristalis tenax - female Excellent Honeybee Mimic - Eristalis tenax - female Excellent Honeybee Mimic - Eristalis tenax - female
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Contributed by Natalie McNear on 30 October, 2009 - 3:16pm
Last updated 30 October, 2009 - 11:33pm

Moved
Moved from Syrphid Flies.
… Natalie McNear, 30 October, 2009 - 8:26pm login or register to post comments

Drone Fly
Thanks, guys!
… Natalie McNear, 30 October, 2009 - 8:25pm login or register to post comments

Drone Fly?
Yes, definitely a superb honey bee mimic. This group of syrphids is a tricky bunch, but I'd be tempted to go with Eristalis tenax. The abdominal pattern varies quite a bit, but here's an example of a pretty close match:



This is certainly only a guess though, Natalie. You should wait and see what the fly-experts have to say... Neat shot of the underside, BTW!
… Harsi S. Parker, 30 October, 2009 - 5:07pm login or register to post comments

 
Harsi's got it. And she's quicker than I.
Cute little fly, a female. Oh, those hairy eyes!
… Ron Hemberger, 30 October, 2009 - 5:13pm login or register to post comments

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