| SCIENTIFIC NAME: | ERISTALIS TENAX |
| VERNACULAR NAME: | DRONE-FLY |
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| Fig 1 |
| DESCRIPTION | Wing length 9 - 14mm. This is a very common bee (drone) mimic that is similar to two other species (E. pertinax and E. similis). The key ID factors are a dark front tarsus, a row of dark hairs that run vertically down the eye and a dark hind tibia. The abdomen varies in colour with the orange markings sometimes absent. |
| BEHAVIOUR | The adult flies feed on pollen and nectar and have a preference for yellow flowers. The larvae are detritus feeders. |
| DISTRIBUTION | Common throughout. |
| HABITAT | Seen in gardens, parks, woodland hedges and almost any flower rich areas. |
| PERIOD | March to December. |