Volucella inflata
West Worthing, West Sussex
[ Wingspan: 11 - 13 millimetres ]
This is a chunky hoverfly with a wingspan of about 12 millimetres, easily mistaken for a not very hairy bumblebee or a small hornet. Yet as a hoverfly, it neither stings nor bites.
It is found in mature woodlands in southern Britain, appearing to require mature trees that have sap wounds created by beetle larvae. It visits, thistles, brambles and umbellifers and are at their most numerous in June and July.
