Devil's Loss. Succisella inflexa, Southern Devil's Bit Scabious, and Belted Hoverfly, Volucella zonaria, Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Given the Beauty of this Flower and its Visitor, clearly the Devil lost! The ancient story goes that the vernacular name of Succisella inflexa, Southern Devil's Bit (Morsus diaboli), goes back on the enmity between the Devil and Beneficial Nature. Our Scabious once in the dawn of humanity was a Heal-All, much to the dismay of the Devil who sought only anguish for humankind. Out of pure spite he bit off the main part of Scabious's root - regard its shallow rooting today - hoping the plant would die. Hence 'Devil's Bit'. Of course, Succisella didn't die but it did lose its healing powers. In compensation it remained attractive and beautiful, full of Plenty for myriad insects among which Butterflies and also this marvelous Hoverfly.
Belted Flyer. Volucella zonaria, by the standard of Hoverfly sizes, is very large; it measures about 2.5 cm (=almost an inch) compared to the 2-3 mm (.09 inch) of the smallest ones. And Zonaria's color is striking as well, very orange-yellow, mimicking a Hornet. So often it's called the Hornet Hoverfly. Entirely harmless, though; not a devil at all in her!
Devil's Loss. Succisella inflexa, Southern Devil's Bit Scabious, and Belted Hoverfly, Volucella zonaria, Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Given the Beauty of this Flower and its Visitor, clearly the Devil lost! The ancient story goes that the vernacular name of Succisella inflexa, Southern Devil's Bit (Morsus diaboli), goes back on the enmity between the Devil and Beneficial Nature. Our Scabious once in the dawn of humanity was a Heal-All, much to the dismay of the Devil who sought only anguish for humankind. Out of pure spite he bit off the main part of Scabious's root - regard its shallow rooting today - hoping the plant would die. Hence 'Devil's Bit'. Of course, Succisella didn't die but it did lose its healing powers. In compensation it remained attractive and beautiful, full of Plenty for myriad insects among which Butterflies and also this marvelous Hoverfly.
Belted Flyer. Volucella zonaria, by the standard of Hoverfly sizes, is very large; it measures about 2.5 cm (=almost an inch) compared to the 2-3 mm (.09 inch) of the smallest ones. And Zonaria's color is striking as well, very orange-yellow, mimicking a Hornet. So often it's called the Hornet Hoverfly. Entirely harmless, though; not a devil at all in her!