Bee-Fly – Bombylius major:  The furry brown body and the long proboscis, together with the dark brown front edges of the wings make this fly easy to recognise.  The Bee-Fly hovers with a high pitched whine and feeds on a variety of low-growing flowers.  Although appearing to hover while feeding, it usually clings to the flowers with its spindly legs.

Although it could be mistaken for a small bumble bee, this appealing little insect differs from them in having a long, quite obvious, thin proboscis which is held out in front of the fly, even when it is resting. The larvae of the Bee-fly live parasitically in the nests of solitary bees and wasps. Bee-flies are quite mobile, and can be found in a variety of grassy, flowery sunny places, darting from flower to flower to feed.

A plump furry brown fly, with two wings (bees have four) heavily marked with darker colours. The long proboscis is always noticeable. Adults feed on nectar.