A surprising wasps-nest-infiltrating fly.

Chris Owen · #1 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 06:40 PM

There's a wasps' nest in a wall outside our front door, and it is getting seriously busy. I was admiring the hustle and bustle when a large fly, about 2 cm or so long landed on the wall next to the entrance, skulked beside it for a moment or two, then popped in, which really surprised me.
Does anyone know of any species of fly that do that?
It was a classic fly shape (like a blue bottle) but big, dark at head and tail with what looked like a translucent mid section, and clear wings possibly with a black blob on each one. I would have looked closer if I'd known it was going to do that!

Thanks,
Chris, Bristol, England

Matt Smith · #2 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 08:37 PM

Have a look at some images of Volucella pellucens - the larvae of this species develop in the detritus that collects underneath an active wasp nest.

Chris Owen · #3 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 06:44 PM

That's exactly it! Brilliant.
I feel strangely privileged to have seen it!

Chris Owen · #4 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 06:54 PM

And thank you!

Chris Owen · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2011, 10:52 PM

And then today I see a different hoverfly trying the same trick, but taking longer to get in.
So I braved the wasps (you can see a few on one of these photos) and got a couple of snaps with my phone.