October 15, 2025

Drone-fly

Drone-fly on a dahlia

Drone-fly
Eristalis tenax

Conservation status: Green – Common

When to see: January to December

About

The drone-fly is a ubiquitous hoverfly of medium size that expertly mimics the Honeybee. It belongs to a group of hoverflies whose larvae are referred to as rat-tailed maggots and reside in muddy water, where they feed on decomposing organic material. Found in various habitats, including gardens, where the adult drone-fly feeds on nectar-rich flowers. You can observe these insects year-round, as they also emerge from hibernation to feed on Ivy flowers during mild winter days.