There are many mimics in the insect world and at Rainham we have our fair share of those that try very successfully to pass themselves of as Honey or Bumbebees, Wasps or even Hornets.
The furry Bee Fly (Bombylius major) is one such species and we have seen plenty of this smart mimic in recent days...
Hovering Bee Fly (Lawrence Rogers)
Many species of Hoverfly are if anything even better at deception.... We have already seen Eristalis pertinax this season which resembles the worker Honey Bees and is therefore also known as a Drone Fly while one of its more colourful relatives was photographed by Jerry Hoare near the Blackthorn last Thursday.
This beauty goes by the name of Eristalis intricarius is is well disguised enough to fool any bird!
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer