Bee fly (exoprosopa pandora)

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Ancient city of Praisos on Crete

Bee flies are members of the Diptera (flies) order. They are in the Bombyliidae family.

Some are very bee-like, hence the name given to the whole group.

Pandora is not one of the bee-like species, having a dark body and patterned wings that make them look ragged at first glance.

The adults are nectar feeders, the young are parasites on the eggs and larvae of other insects.

This one was almost invisible in the dry grass but gave itself away by moving.

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