Buglife is reporting an unprecedented number of Hornet hoverfly, Volucella zonaria, records this summer and they appear to be moving north towards Leicestershire. Look out for this striking insect - a harmless mimic of the Hornet. More...

The Hornet hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) is Britain's largest hoverfly, its large size and brown and yellow bands make it a good mimic of the Hornet (Vespa crabro), Britain's largest wasp.

Steven Falk, Buglife Entomologist said "Although the Hornet hoverfly may appear dangerous it is actually harmless and cannot sting. They have large eyes, short antennae and only two wings whereas true Hornets, which are basically just a giant version of the wasps you see all summer, have small eyes on a large box-shaped head, long antenna and four wings".

The Hornet hoverfly was scarcely known in Britain until the early 1940s when it was first seen in a few places in southern England. Since then it has become well established in London, Bristol and some other parts of southern England. But as Britain's climate changes the Hornet hoverfly is expanding northwards and has recently been recorded in Cheshire and other sites in northern England.

The larvae develop as scavengers in wasp nests, especially in wasp nests found in suburban areas. The adult hoverflies are important pollinators frequenting plants such as thistles, buddleia and ragworts.

Steven Falk said "Most of the recent reports sent to Buglife this year have been females. It is unclear whether these are British-bred or immigrants from the continent, but I think that if these were British-bred, we'd see more males, and we do know that this is a very mobile species that can migrate within its European range. Other experts believe they are mostly home-bred British individuals".