Bee or Hoverfly for ID please

[Janenat]

Hello

I'm still a novice when trying to distinguish between the 2?! Took these photos on sunday, please could you tell me what they are, I think 1 and 3 might be the same insect taken at different times? Do all bees buzz? Is that a way of knowing it's a hoverfly if it doesn't buzz?

Many thanks
Jane

[Matt Smith]

1 = a male Andrena.

2 = Honey Bee

3 = female Andrena haemorrhoa.

All bees buzz - it's just the result of their wings vibrating. Hoverflies can buzz too, though usually at a higher pitch.

Best way to separate bees and flies, count the wings. Bees have 2 pairs, flies have 1 pair.

[Janenat]

Thank you, I shall keep trying I had heard about the wings but they just looked like one pair to me!

Jane

[Geoff F]

Yes Jane, from some angles, counting the number of wings can be confusing. Another clue is the length of the antennae; although some other flies, like some species of sawflies for example, can also have long antennae.

[JRsbugs]

I used to find it easier to look at the eyes. Bees and wasps have more elongated eyes, are sleek and shine, flies eyes are usually dull with angles (think cut diamond) and are not so sleek.

Janet

[Janenat]

Oh that's really useful thank you

Jane