Common Bee-fly
9th April 2009, ThursdayOne of the highlights from Tuesdays workparty at Castle Water was finding several Common Bee-fly (Bombylius major) in close proximity with Dotted Bee-fly (Bombylius discolor). Although the Common Bee-fly is more widespread and the best known British species it has not been recorded that often on the reserve. The two are difficult to tell apart while flying , but it was interesting to see the dark leading edge on the wings of the Common Bee-fly gradually appear as the wing speed reduced while engaging in small manoeuvers around flowers when feeding.
