posted: Jul 8, 2008

While collecting seeds from the sticky purple geranium on the plot I noticed an unusual pollinator visiting the pink flowers.  It looked like a bee but upon closer look it appeared different than the usual bee.  This insect had two wings and six long legs.  The back legs stuck up and back when it flew and it had a long beak (which I learned later is actually the proboscis).  It was yellow and fuzzy and very cute.  I called my entomologist friend and described the insect to her as I continued to watch it fly from flower to flower.  She explained that this is actually a fly and there is a whole group of flies that mimic bees (Bombylidae).  She identified this one as Bombylius major or commonly called a bee fly.  Fascinating!   I later observed this fly pollinating a blanketflower so if you have these plants in your yard keep a look out. 
-Brenda