Wasp or hornet

[idg]

Can anyone identify this

 

[Walrus]

Looks more like a hover fly to me

 

[Erichalfbee]

Volucella zonaria
Hornet mimic hoverfly

 

[idg]

No, not volucella zonaria . It is about twice the size of a honey bee.

 

[Erichalfbee]

No, not volucella zonaria . It is about twice the size of a honey bee.

Size is difficult to appreciate in a photo
Honey bees are around 15mm and Volucella 25mm
Karen will be along in a mo

 

[idg]

It was about 25mm long, so my apologies

 

[kazmcc]

Volucella zonaria
Hornet mimic hoverfly

I agree with Dani. Their larvae grow inside social wasp nests. Fascinating life history.

 

[drdrday]

One of those came to visit me and the bees the other day. Sat quite happily on the edge of the brood box.
I took a photo as I was second guessing myself as to whether or not it was a hoverfly or hornet. The big bulbous red/brown eyes seem to be the easiest way of identifying it as a Hornet Mimic Hoverfly.

Unfortunately I can't post the photo with my measly number of posts , but I think I've managed to attach it.

 

[Erichalfbee]

One of those came to visit me and the bees the other day. Sat quite happily on the edge of the brood box.
I took a photo as I was second guessing myself as to whether or not it was a hoverfly or hornet. The big bulbous red/brown eyes seem to be the easiest way of identifying it as a Hornet Mimic Hoverfly.

Unfortunately I can't post the photo with my measly number of posts , but I think I've managed to attach it.

Lovely picture and welcome to the forum

 

[drdrday]

Lovely picture and welcome to the forum

Thank you! I've been a silent lurker for the past 18 months, absorbing all the advice and information I could before I finally got my bees in April. Aside from the occasional bickering ;-) this place is a fantastic resource for new beeks to add to their arsenal.

 

[Helen]

One of these accompanied me around the apiary today. Kept landing on my notebook & pen. Seems it wanted to stick around.