Bombylius major

Bombylius major
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Diptera
Family:	Bombyliidae
Genus:	Bombylius
Species:	B. major
Binomial name
Bombylius major Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Large bee-fly or dark-edged bee-fly Bombylius anonymus Sulzer, 1761 Bombylius variegatus De Geer, 1776 Bombylius aequalis Fabricius, 1781 Asilus lanigerus Geoffroy, 1785 Bombylius fratellus Wiedemann, 1828 Bombylius consanguineus Macquart, 1840 Bombylius vicinus Macquart, 1840 Bombylius albipectus Macquart, 1855 Bombylius australis Lioy, 1855 Bombylius basilinea Lioy, 1855 Bombylius antenoreus Lioy, 1864

Bombylius major (commonly named the large bee-fly, the dark-edged bee-fly or the greater bee fly) is a parasitic bee mimic fly. B. major is the most common type of fly within the Bombylius genus. The fly derives its name from its close resemblance to bumblebees and are often mistaken for them.

Bombylius major exhibits a unique flight behavior known as "yawing"^[1] and plays a role in general pollination, without preference of flower types.^[2] The fly does not bite, sting, or spread disease.^[3] However, the fly uses this mimicry of bumblebees to its own advantage, allowing close access to host solitary bee and wasp nests in order to deposit its eggs. After hatching, the larvae find their way into the nests to parasitically feed on the grubs.^[4]