Correct. A very large species of Hoverfly that most mimics a Hornet. One was seen entering an underground wasp nest on Barton Field Nature Reserve, Abingdon on Friday 23rd August. Not seen to reappear. Per David Guyoncourt and Michael Bloom. The species is commensal with social insects like Common and German Wasp's; the larvae feeding on nest detritus. The smaller V. Inanis appears to be commoner around here and is smaller, has a far less wide pale patch down the face and the dark stripes across the abdomen are a maximum of only a quarter of the width of the pale stripes.
Correct. A very large species of Hoverfly that most mimics a Hornet. One was seen entering an underground wasp nest on Barton Field Nature Reserve, Abingdon on Friday 23rd August. Not seen to reappear. Per David Guyoncourt and Michael Bloom.
ReplyDeleteThe species is commensal with social insects like Common and German Wasp's; the larvae feeding on nest detritus.
The smaller V. Inanis appears to be commoner around here and is smaller, has a far less wide pale patch down the face and the dark stripes across the abdomen are a maximum of only a quarter of the width of the pale stripes.