Reaching up to 17 mm in length, the pellucid hoverfly (Volucella pellucens) is one of Europe’s largest hoverflies. It is easily recognized by a striking, translucent ivory-white band across its abdomen and distinct dark patches on its wings. Although its bumblebee looks suggest danger, this insect is completely harmless and lacks a sting. Adults feed on nectar and pollen, favoring white flowers such as bramble, elder, and hogweed. On sunny days, territorial males spend their time hovering in bright woodland sunbeams, aggressively chasing off rivals. You can easily determine their sex by looking at their eyes: males feature compound eyes that meet at the top of the head, whereas females have a clear gap between theirs. The species’ most mysterious trait unfolds in hidden places. Brave females infiltrate the heavily guarded paper nests of social wasps, to lay their eggs. Scientists still don’t fully understand how they slip past the nest defenses undetected. Once hatched, the hoverfly larvae act as scavengers at the bottom of the hive, dining on nest debris, waste, and dead wasps. I encountered this impressive giant female feeding peacefully on flowers in a park near Akalla, Sweden.
