syrphid fly?

[tarheelchick]

I swear my garden tries to teach me something new everyday. I spotted this little guy sitting on top of a cucumber leaf today and I had no idea what it was. I think I've identified him via the internet as a syrphid fly. (I've previously never heard of this) If I'm correct, he's a beneficial who is eating or searching for aphids and I say "welcome, and please bring your friends"!

Can anyone confirm?

[kurt]

https://www.google.com/search?q=syrp...7mtsHxCwzN8eM:

I gots just about everyone ,thanx for the image to compare,I will keep a "eye" out for the little critter.Nice method of mimicking a bee at the same time,some actually buzz enough to aid in the pollinization process.

[gorbelly]

I think that's a bumble bee. Note the pollen baskets and the claws at the tip. I also think the antennae are just bent, not the tiny, stubby antennae of a hoverfly. Also, it's hard to tell in the photo, but I don't think the eyes are "wraparound" eyes like a hoverfly.

[Canadian Gab]

Definitely a bumble bee in my opinion , not even close to a syrphid fly

[tarheelchick]

hmmm...okay. This is the comparison I found on the internet that said syrphid fly.(below)
Do you guys see four wings on my photo above? Because I could only identify two wings. Admittedly my photo is not perfectly clear.

[tarheelchick]

Here's another internet photo.
https://cedarcirclefarm.org/tips/ent...y-or-hover-fly


Lol....this is why I am having a hard time learning about insects!

[gorbelly]

Originally Posted by tarheelchick

Do you guys see four wings on my photo above? Because I could only identify two wings.

It's hard to see both wings when a bumble is at rest like that. But the head and the feet/pollen basket are giveaways, IMO.

[Worth1]

I have seen both these little fellers and big bumbles on the same flowing tree at my house.'
This year was the first time I saw the smaller ones like in the pictuer.

[tarheelchick]

Good to know, Worth cause he doesn't look like my larger bumblebees. I definitely take y'alls word for it.....bumble bee it is! Thanks! Either way, they are good to have!

[AlittleSalt]

I think it is a male bumblebee. ...looking up sites ... http://www.bumblebee.org/lifeMate.htm

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

I think it is a male bumblebee. ...looking up sites ... http://www.bumblebee.org/lifeMate.htm

Males dont forage for anything they just lay around and eat.
The ones I saw were foraging along with the bigger ones.

[Worth1]

The flight of the bumblebee.
House cleaning music.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:R..._bumblebee.oga

[gorbelly]

Depending on the species, workers can be smaller than males or slightly larger. They're much smaller than the queens.

Originally Posted by Worth1

Males dont forage for anything they just lay around and eat.
The ones I saw were foraging along with the bigger ones.

Male bumblebees do forage, but only for themselves. They only eat nectar and don't collect pollen, so they often visit different flowers than the workers and queens. They go off on their own and aren't part of the hive. They spend their time foraging for themselves and looking for opportunities to mate.

[imp]

Originally Posted by gorbelly

Depending on the species, workers can be smaller than males or slightly larger. They're much smaller than the queens.



Male bumblebees do forage, but only for themselves. They only eat nectar and don't collect pollen, so they often visit different flowers than the workers and queens. They go off on their own and aren't part of the hive. They spend their time foraging for themselves and looking for opportunities to mate.

Sounds like my ex! before Rob!!!