Mystery insects - mystery to me, anyway

[heatherannej]

I am eager to have these two insects identified please. WAB members usually 'come up trumps' ..... photographed in my son's garden in Sudbury, Suffolk yesterday. They were 'locked together' like this and flying around the garden. They stopped to have a breather, which was when I was able to snap them. Any help much appreciated. Heather

[Hedera]

They are bee-flies - Bombylius major. Lots of them about this spring.

[heatherannej]

Thank you very much ..... I presume that they are in a mating position? Anything interesting you can tell me about them please? :-) Heather

[Hedera]

Yes, certainly mating - a good photo! They are true flies, don't sting. They have a long proboscis with which they gather nectar, hovering over the flowers. They are parasitic on other bee and wasp species, laying their eggs near the nests; the young larvae eat the other bees' larvae. They do look like furry bumblebees and are quite fun to watch.

[heatherannej]

Thanks so much 'Hedera' ...... had all the grandchildren mesmerised. Now we know. Much obliged. Heather