#syrphid

The Yellow-shouldered Drone Fly (Eristalis stipator), a commendable honeybee mimic. Hover flies of the tribe Erstalini are known as "Rat-tailed Maggots" in their youth, owing to their... unique appearance. All hover flies act as vital pollinators for many plant species!

Dittero sirfide su Geranio silvano

[Nikon D850; ∑150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro with Circular Flash Nissin  MF 18; 1/250s; F25; 400 ISO]

Hoverfly There are over 200 species of syrphid, or hover- or flower flies, in Alaska. This is one of them. This adult is feeding on some cow parsnip pollen, but will also drink nectar. As such, it is a pollinator. Its coloration mimics that of bees, giving it some protection from other predators. The larval maggots eat decaying material of all sorts, as well as aphids, depending on the species. This hoverfly was occupied for a while so I was able to take many shots with different fields of depth, flash, &c. #hoverfly #syrphid #syrphidae #syrphidfly #flowerfly #cunninghamparkkenai #cunninghampark #cityofkenai #kenaialaska #kenai #cowparsnips #sonydschx400v #SonyCameras (at Cunningham Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRQKdtyhtmu/?utm_medium=tumblr

Honeybee mimic: Several Drone flies around Hedera helix blooms.

Maybe Syrphus ribessii, but there are so many varieties.

Southeastern Pennsylvania