Volucella facialis

Williston, 1882

Yellow-faced Swiftwing

Volucella facialis is a of hoverfly in the Syrphidae, commonly known as the Yellow-faced Swiftwing. It belongs to a noted for of bumble bees and . Like other Volucella species, it is an , laying in the nests of social bees and wasps where larvae consume . The species is found in North America, with records from Vermont and other parts of the United States.

Volucella facialis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Volucella facialis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Volucella facialis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Volucella facialis: /vɔˈluː.sɛl.lə fəˈtʃiː.ə.lɪs/

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Identification

Distinguished from bumble bees by having only one pair of wings (flies) versus two pairs (bees), short stubby versus longer elbowed antennae, and the absence of a stinger. Separated from other Volucella by the yellow and specific pattern details. The Volucella is the only member of tribe Volucellini in North America.

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Appearance

A large hoverfly with a robust body. As the suggests, the is yellow. The overall coloration typically mimics bumble bees, with a furry appearance created by dense setae. Like all syrphid flies, it possesses only one pair of functional wings (the hind wings reduced to small knob-like ), short , and large . The body is generally larger than many other hoverfly .

Habitat

Found in areas where and nests occur, including gardens, meadows, woodlands, and forest edges. frequent flowers for nectar and pollen.

Distribution

Recorded from Vermont and other parts of the United States. The Volucella has broader distribution in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Diet

feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. Larvae are in nests of social bees and , where they consume larvae and nest provisions.

Host Associations

  • Social bees and wasps - Larvae develop in nests

Life Cycle

Females enter nests of social Hymenoptera to lay . Larvae develop as , feeding on larvae and stored provisions. occurs within the host nest.

Behavior

engage in flower-visiting , hovering at blossoms to feed on nectar and pollen. Females exhibit nest-entering behavior to oviposit in colonies. The is a Batesian mimic, gaining protection from by resembling stinging bees and .

Ecological Role

contribute to pollination through flower visitation. As , larvae represent a natural control mechanism for social and colonies.

Human Relevance

are harmless that cannot sting. The has no significant negative economic impact; larval inquilinism is a natural phenomenon rather than a managed pest issue.

Similar Taxa

More Details

Taxonomic note

Volucella bombylans was long considered the only valid North American in the , but V. facialis is recognized as a distinct species. Recent evidence suggests V. bombylans may represent a .

Mimicry system

Exemplifies , where a palatable evolves to resemble a defended model (stinging Hymenoptera) to avoid .

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Sources and further reading