drone fly encore

...the Dtone Fly Eristalis tenax, that I blipped on the 15th August, was chosen because it so clearly showed its mouthparts. However, it has been brought to my attention that it didn't demonstrate how closely it resembles a honey bee drone. Consequently, while walking on Corfe Common with our family visitors, I took advantage of this one feeding on Saw-wort. The pollen on his back and legs add to the illusion created by its markings but there are two giveaways that tell you it is not a bee. One, is the shape and size of the eyes - bees have much smaller, oval eyes. The other, is the wings - bees have four and fold them when feeding or resting, whereas flies only have two, which remain open and, at least partially, obscure some of their back...