Hornet Mimic Hover Fly

Volucella zonaria can reach a length of 25 millimetres (0.98 in), with a wingspan of about 40 mm. These very large and wide hoverflies have reddish-brown shining thorax with dark brown marks, and a reddish-brown scutellum. The head shows a waxy yellow face, with yellow forehead and antennae. The large ovoid compound eyes are reddish with dense and short hairs. In the males they are very close to each other, so that the forehead is very narrow. The abdomen is reddish yellow, with two wide black bands. The underside has broad black bars. The first abdominal segment is black. The second tergite is chestnut brown. Wings are amber infused. The legs are basically red-brown, but black at the base. This species mimics the European hornet (Vespa crabro), by its size, by its appearance and its buzzing flight.

This species is present in most of Europe, in Tunisia, Iran, Russia (to Far East) and in Mongolia.

In Great Britain, it was only known from two specimens prior to 1940, so was regarded as rare. Since then, it has become increasingly widespread in many parts of the South and South East England, often in association with parks and gardens, where adults are usually seen visiting flowers. Elsewhere in England, only a few scattered records exist.