www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi folks,

Does anyone know of a handy guide to identifying bee-flies?

There's Stubbs & Drake 'British Soldier Flies & their Allies' published by the BENHS (British Entomological & Natural History Society). I wouldn't say that it's "handy" but it is a magnificant work, comprehensive and with superb plates. £40 but worth every penny and the BENHS benefits from each purchase and that can only be a good thing.

At the other end of the spectrum you could try the relevant 'Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects' which would provide a comprehensive key.

Sadly there is a gap in the market for handy guides to significant flies which is a crying shame as they're such a fascinating order of insects.

Felix.

Does anyone know how many common species there are around in the UK? Looking this weekend at a patch of Downland turf with primulae, I noted about three (apparently) different types, although I wondered if there is sexual dimorphism as well??

This was the commonest type:- ID ?

I think this one is darker than yours

Gruditch

To my knowledge, these are the only bee-flies found in GB:

Bombylius canescens
Bombylius discolor
Bombylius major
Bombylius minor
Thyridanthrax fenestratus
Villa cingulata
Villa circumdata
Villa modesta
Villa venusta
Phthiria pulicaria
with B.major being the most common. Most of the others I think have limited distributions either to Heath or the coast. Personally I've only seen B.Major and T.fenestratus and will be looking out for the book Felix mentions as I feel that will make it a lot easier.

There's some pictures and info on David Element's website - look under flies 4 and 12:
http://www.david.element.ukgateway.net

Here is a key to bee-flies, although I haven't used it myself:
http://home.hccnet.nl/mp.van.veen/bombyliidae/

Diptera.info has some pictures (and a forum), but bear in mind which species are British!
http://www.diptera.info/photogallery.php?album_id=5

I have had this one in the garden.

Dark-edged Bee-fly ( Bombyliusmajor)

and also another sort with a very dark brown abdomen which I think is Dotted Bee-fly ( Bombyliiusdiscolor) Quite rare, but spreading, in these parts.
Didn't get a photo though.
Denise

i took these a few days ago... i had never come across these insects before !!

charles

ps here is one i took yesterday in Brampton Wood