Hornet Mimic 1

Here are a couple of shots of the very interesting Volucella zonaria.

This hoverfly, a hornet mimic, is the size of a large hornet and sounds like one when flying but is completely harmless.

The female lays its eggs in the nests of hornets, wasps and bees so it grows up thinking of itself as one of those.

It is the largest hoverfly in the UK.

Done