January 16, 2023

I am a female Northern Plushback fly

You know I'm not male - my eyes don't meet in the middle

My eyes are separated with space in between

I look like a bee, but the similarities are just superficial.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/55264-Palpada-vinetorum

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 10, 2020

I am a Northern Plushback

I'm a type of Flower Fly

I look like a bee, but I don't sting

But predators pass me right by.

As described in the article referenced below, many butterflies and other flies mimic "...unrelated harmful species as a form of protection from predators."

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/2015/06/hoverflies-bee-mimics-provide-pollination-and-biocontrol-services

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

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