Clearly a Wasp, No? - _TNY_2205
Here is one of the best wasp mimics we have up here in Sweden - the hoverfly known as Temnostoma vespiforme.
Not only has it gotten the black and yellow pattern unusually similar to that of actual social wasps, but it als has a flight pattern which is very similar to them with that swaying from side to side which the wasps do.
But there is actually an even cooler trait. Wasps and bees have long antennae while flies have short stubby ones. The name "hornet" comes from the antennae looking a lot like the horns on a billy-goat and the Swedish word for wasp, "geting" literally means "small goat".
So how does this fly mimic the antennae? Well, look at its legs. The two back pairs are yellow - but the frontmost pair are black and when the fly feels threatened it holds them up and move them like they were antennae! Some mimicry really is next-level.
For an older shot where this behaviour is showing, have a look here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/29143556375/
Clearly a Wasp, No? - _TNY_2205
Here is one of the best wasp mimics we have up here in Sweden - the hoverfly known as Temnostoma vespiforme.
Not only has it gotten the black and yellow pattern unusually similar to that of actual social wasps, but it als has a flight pattern which is very similar to them with that swaying from side to side which the wasps do.
But there is actually an even cooler trait. Wasps and bees have long antennae while flies have short stubby ones. The name "hornet" comes from the antennae looking a lot like the horns on a billy-goat and the Swedish word for wasp, "geting" literally means "small goat".
So how does this fly mimic the antennae? Well, look at its legs. The two back pairs are yellow - but the frontmost pair are black and when the fly feels threatened it holds them up and move them like they were antennae! Some mimicry really is next-level.
For an older shot where this behaviour is showing, have a look here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/29143556375/