Species: Wasp Plumehorn (Volucella inanis)
Family: Hoverflies (SYRPHIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: Widespread
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Hoverflies (SYRPHIDAE)
True to their name, the hoverflies hover around flowers, and then alight to feed on nectar and pollen. They are very important pollinators, and despite the fact that some look like wasps or bees, this is just mimicry and helps to keep potential predators at bay. Hoverflies have no sting, and have short, drooping antennae. The larvae are as useful as the adults, in that they feed on aphids.
We have a photograph-filled blog post about all the hoverflies that we have seen in the Cemetery that may be worth your time.
C. Wasp Plumehorn (Volucella inanis)
Volucella inanis is one of Britain's larger hoverflies at 12 - 14 millimetres in length, only beaten in the length stakes by Volucella zonaria, which measures between 15 and 19 millimetres. Note the plume-like antennae that is visible in these photographs.
This hoverfly is a wasp mimic, but neither stings nor bites! Unlike wasps, in flight they are more or less silent, moving about without the characteristic buzzing sound that wasps make. It is a harmless pollinator.
These hoverflies lay eggs in the underground nests of social wasps. When they hatch, the larvae feed on the wasp grubs.
Images
Volucella inanis (Wasp Plumehorn)
Volucella inanis is one of Britain's larger hoverflies at 12 - 14 millimetres in length, only beaten in the length stakes by Volucella zonaria, which measures between 15 and 19 millimetres.
Volucella inanis (Wasp Plumehorn)
Volucella inanis is one of Britain's larger hoverflies at 12 - 14 millimetres in length. Note the plume-like antennae that are visible in this photograph.
Volucella inanis (Wasp Plumehorn)
This hoverfly, Volucella inanis, is a wasp mimic, but neither stings nor bites! Unlike wasps, in flight they are more or less silent, moving about without the characteristic buzzing sound that wasps make. It is a harmless pollinator.
These hoverflies lay eggs in the underground nests of social wasps. When they hatch, the larvae feed on the wasp grubs.
The individual shown here is a female.
Volucella inanis (Wasp Plumehorn)
Note the marbling of the yellow parts of the abdomen of this specimen.
Volucella inanis (Wasp Plumehorn)
These hoverflies lay eggs in the underground nests of social wasps. When they hatch, the larvae feed on the wasp grubs.
The individual shown here is a male.
