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three-lined drone fly (Eristalis dimidiata) gathering pollen on prairie willow (Salix humilis) male catkins at Chipera Prairie IA 854A1518

Here is a leftover photo from yesterday. This neat little three-lined drone fly is one of the first wild pollinators to appear in the spring. This colorful fuzzy fly mimics bees and really picks up pollen on all those protruding hairs. Females turn that nutritious pollen into fuel for making eggs. They are also called the white-banded flower fly.

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Uploaded on April 24, 2018
Taken on April 22, 2018