January 19, 2020

Location: Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area

I am known as a Plushback Fly
I'm in the Eristalinae, or Drone Fly, family
Even though I can pollinate plants
I don't have a stinger like a bee.

Sources: USDA Forest Service - Drone Flies: Flies in (Really Good) Bee Costumes

Behavioural mimicry of honeybees (Apis mellifera) by droneflies (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalis spp.) 

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson