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Air Force


Air Force
Photo Information
Copyright: Marx Kol (Marx44) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 59 W: 72 N: 279] (1768)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-10
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 30 D, Canon EF 100 mm F2.8 Macro USM
Exposure: f/8, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-12 12:21
Viewed: 412
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Large Bee Fly Bombylius major is a spectacular bee mimic, squat and very hairy, 14 to 18mm in length and a wingspan around 24mm. Dark patches on the anterior half of the wings. Forward looking, very typical fly eyes. It has long hairy legs, that dangle whilst in flight. Very long proboscis.

Bee flies are expert flyers, and their hovering habit has some lead to them being incorrectly called a species of hoverfly (Syrphidae).

Found in April to June throughout throughout temperate Europe and North America and some parts of Asia.

Adults feed by means of their very long proboscises on the nectar of many species of flower, but most notably primroses (Primula). Larvae feed by attacking the grubs of solitary bees and wasps in their underground nests

The eggs are flicked by the adult female towards the entrance of solitary bee and wasp nests, after hatching the larvae find their way into the nests and feed on the grubs.
alikox, jeanpaul, vanderschelden, nikosrio, Rolf has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi marx
Une superbe de belle photo macro. Très difficile de photographier cet insecte.
J'en possède quelques photos mais pas aussi net et aussi splendide.
Bravo et au revoir...JP

Hello Marx,
excellent sharp shot with great color and background.Very dificult to catch the moment,thanks for sharing
Regards,
Nikos.

  • Great 
  • Rolf Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 59 W: 0 N: 27] (196)
  • [2008-06-13 4:42]

Hello Marx
Excellent action shot.
TFS
Rolf

  • Great 
  • dkaved Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 267 W: 18 N: 439] (2032)
  • [2008-06-13 11:22]

Hi Marx,
There is a little bit of a lack in quality here but the image caught my eye and I find it very interesting.Its an unusual looking species....that long proboscise a scary looking instrument.Well done in capturing it in a full flight position.Nice to meet you.
Regards, David

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