One of the most exciting things I have come across this summer has been how some insects seek to mimic others e.g. Wasps, Bees or Hornets. In the UK we have two common Hoverflies which mimic Hornets as a measure of protection.
Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria)
Lesser Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella Inanis)
I have been fortunate to record both of these large hoverflies in the gardens this summer. I wonder how many peope see them and think they are a hornet. I saw a zonaria the other day and at first I thought it was a hornet, but then I guess thats the point, to make potential preditors keep away in case they get stung. In fact they are completely harmless.
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