Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria (Poda, 1761))
Scientific name: Volucella zonaria (Poda, 1761)
Common name: Hornet Mimic Hoverfly
French name: Volucelle zonée, Volucelle ceinturée
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Wingspan : 16 to 22 mm for females, 14 to 16 mm for males.
Biotope: Parks and gardens but also large pine forests and large deciduous forests.
Geographic area: Europe.
Observation period : May to October.
The Hornet Mimic Hoverfly has a yellow head with two big brown eyes which touch on males.
The antennae are short and feathery.
There is a bright yellow protuberance on the front of the head.
The thorax is reddish brown, smooth and shiny on the upper side, and the abdomen is yellow, crossed by two wide black stripes (Volucella inanis shows three stripes but zonaria shows only two).
Volucella inanis is smaller (15-16 mm). The first abdominal segment is yellow on Volucella inanis while it is chestnut on Volucella zonaria.
This large harmless Hoverfly looks like a Hornet, but it does not show the narrow waist.
You can often observe the Hornet Mimic Hoverfly, landed almost immobile on flowers, where it feeds on nectar.
Larvae grow in nests of Wasps or Hornets where they feed on detritus, dead insects and sometimes larvae.

Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) - Yvelines, France - July 16th 2009
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Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria)
The birds we are used to observing during our walk on the pond's banks are gone, or well hidden, in July.
Hopefully there are many insects during the hot hours of the day. This enables us to do nice observations.
It is impossible not to notice the Hornet Mimic Hoverfly with its large size and its bright colours.


Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) - Yvelines, France - July 16th 2009
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Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria)
The well separated eyes indicate a female.


Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) - Yvelines, France - July 8th 2007
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Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria)
Many butterflies are attracted to the Buddleia, but all other insects feeding on nectar, as the Hornet Mimic Hoverfly, too.


Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) - Yvelines, France - July 8th 2007
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Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria)
The Hornet Mimic Hoverfly seems to sleep on the flowers. It was very easy to get close.

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