Drone Fly
(Eristalis tenax)

• It can eat pollen.

• TRUTH: Has hair in its eyes.

• It has been used to study flight dynamics.

Why This Tiny Insect Matters

The Drone Fly is a perfect example of how easily appearances can mislead us. Often mistaken for a bee because of its shape and coloring, it is actually a fly with its own remarkable adaptations. Looking closer reveals a species that is both useful in nature and full of surprising details, including tiny hairs on its eyes.

Meet the Drone Fly

• Conservation status: Has not been evaluated

• Endemic: No

• Habitat: Gardens, meadows, wetlands, urban spaces, and many other habitats across Europe and beyond

• Ecological role: Pollinator as an adult; part of nutrient recycling through its larval stage

• Lifespan: Lives through egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages

• Fun fact: The Drone Fly belongs to the hoverfly group and is often mistaken for a bee, even though it cannot sting.

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