Volucella bombylans
Dorsal view of hoverfly Volucella bombylans at rest on leaf. The larva of this species lives in nests of bumble-bees (Bombus sp.) as a scavenger. It has also been reported in wasp nests, where it is ignored by the wasps and allowed to feed on rubbish and dead grubs. This is remarkable as any other intruder would be swiftly destroyed: the larva is presumed to mimic the scent of wasps or their grubs and so to be taken for one of them. The adult Volucella is variable in colour and mimics either a wasp or large bee.
Size: 4816px × 4055px
Location: Ottery St Mary, Devon, England
Photo credit: © Andrew Palmer / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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