Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

What is this bug please?

Songbird-2Songbird-2 Posts: 2,349
in Problem solving
Has anyone any idea what this little creature is please? I’ve never seen one before and two have appeared just sitting there on some buds on our Rowan tree. Is it a friend or foe? TIA 
«1

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Is it too early for a hummingbird moth?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • AsarumAsarum Posts: 661
    It’s a bee fly. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombyliidae
    East Anglia
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    It certainly looks like one tho the colouring doesn't seem quite right but that could br the pic.
    Haven't seen ours yet but the ID not beyond possibility - usually noticeable here ( SW UK ) late April/early May for the first ones. 
    See what others think ?

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Definitely Bee fly, looks like Bombylius major, it's their moment


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Songbird-2Songbird-2 Posts: 2,349
    Wow, goodness me! Thanks folks, that's so interesting. I've taken a couple more pictures with the iPad this time, and you can definitely see some brown colouring on their backs. Trouble is, they are sitting there, never moving and hanging on in there upside down!
    Whilst their existence is fascinating I don't quite like some of their life cycle in that they eat baby bees underground. But having never seen them before, I will leave them be ( no pun intended there🤭) and see what happens. 




  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    Lucky you... never seen one and not for the want of trying.

    Very envious...
  • Songbird-2Songbird-2 Posts: 2,349
    @Sheps, I have no idea what draws them into the garden, I've never seen one either, and , like waiting for a bus, 2 come along together😂
  • Songbird-2Songbird-2 Posts: 2,349
    My old iphone won't zoom in that close @Papi Jo, that's a beautiful photo of it. 
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    I was delighted to see one in the garden earlier this week as well as a Red Admiral butterfly. We have had Brimstone butterflies around for a couple of weeks too.
Sign In or Register to comment.