Bee Fly on Curlycup Gumweed, Stansbury Mountains, West Desert, Tooele County, Utah

Bee Fly Images, Facts and Information:

Family Bombyliidae

  • Bee Flies are small to medium-sized insects with fuzzy, bee-like bodies, short antennae, and large eyes. Their wings are often patterned or darkly shaded, and they hold them outstretched while hovering in flight.
  • Bee Flies are found worldwide, with many species common across North America. They inhabit sunny areas such as gardens, fields, open woodlands, and desert regions. Adults are frequently seen visiting flowers in early spring and summer.
  • Bee Flies feed on nectar and pollen using a long, slender proboscis. They are important pollinators and often hover in front of blooms while feeding, much like hummingbirds.
  • Female Bee Flies lay their eggs near the nests of solitary bees or wasps. The larvae are parasitic, feeding on the host’s eggs or developing larvae.
  • Bee Flies mimic bees in appearance and flight behavior, which helps protect them from predators.
  • A group of bee flies can be called a “cloud” of bee flies.

I hope you enjoy viewing my Bee Fly photos.

Back to Insects and Spiders