Identify this Scottish bee and its habits?

[applemint]

Hello insect enthusiasts,

Could you ID this bee for me? My guess is honey bee worker... but I'm no expert and I'm not convinced, this is based on my
spotter guidebook and seems to be the closest fit, but not identical.

Any ideas appreciated. I am an artist planning to make a drawing of bees and would like to know what I am looking at here, also any information on its habits, behaviour and life cycle would be a bonus..

Thanks,
Applemint.

[The Woodman]

Looks like a drone fly, Eristalis tenax, not a bee but a look-a-like. Common on ivy flowers at this time of year.

[squishy]

it is a drone fly (a type of hoverfly), not a bee, the easiest way to tell them is the little band of lightish brown on the upper abdomen that is broken it the middle, plus they have bigger eyes that cover more of the head

[Dogghound]

Its Eristalis pertinax,

[squishy]

so thats closely related to tenax is it dogghound?

[Dogghound]

Yes same genus different species.

[applemint]

Thanks insect enthusiasts. Damn, you're good.

Now what can anyone tell me about drone flies? Are they social? How long do they live? Where do they live? What advantage is there for them in looking like a bee? Is it a defence? If so what predators might they be afraid of? Are they ever seen in large gatherings? Are they only evident at certain times of year?

Any information appreciated..

Applemint.

[Dogghound]

They are not social, they live a couple of weeks maximum as an adult, They live in a wide range of habitats. They breed in drains, ponds, streams, rotting material, sewage and manure, particularly stagnent water. They mimic bees as a form of defence to predators such as birds. For example toads that have no experience of honey bees eat them, toads that have been stung by honey bees avoid them. They are subject to a wide array of predators hence the mimicry. They are not usually found in large gatherings. They are usually found in the warmer months but can be found all year round.