Drone Fly Eristalis tenax (Linnaeus, 1758)Non-native    
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Arthropoda   >   Class Insecta   >   Order Diptera   >   Family Syrphidae   >   Genus Eristalis   

Status:

The Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) is a common fly species that strongly resembles the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera). It was introduced from Eurasia prior to 1874 and is now found nearly worldwide (cosmopolitan).

Description:

According to BugGuide, "The different species of Eristalis are very difficult to distinguish, but Eristalis tenax is one of the commonest of these honeybee mimics. It has two vertical bands of hairs on the eyes."

There are 147 records in the project database.

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Drone Fly in Kent Co., Maryland (6/18/2022). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Judy Gallagher. (MBP list)

A Drone Fly in Washington Co., Maryland (6/8/2019). Determined by Bill Dean and Bob Biagi via BugGuide. Photo by Jim Moore. (MBP list)

Drone Fly in Baltimore Co., Maryland (4/28/2021). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

A Drone Fly in Frederick Co., Maryland (11/7/2015). Determined by Kelsey J.R.P. Byers/BugGuide. Photo by Mark Etheridge. (MBP list)

Drone Fly in Frederick Co., Maryland (11/7/2015).) Photo by Mark Etheridge. (MBP list)

A Drone Fly in Frederick Co., Maryland (9/8/2013). Photo by Mark Etheridge. (MBP list)

A Drone Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/22/2014). Photo by Jesse Christopherson. (MBP list)

A Drone Fly in Worcester Co., Maryland (10/23/2013). Verified by John S. Ascher/BugGuide. Photo by Scott Housten. (MBP list)

A male Drone Fly in Harford Co., Maryland (10/26/2015). Verified by Ken Wolgemuth/BugGuide. Photo by Shannon Schade. (MBP list)

A Drone Fly in Cecil Co., Maryland (10/2/2013). Photo by Bill Keim. (MBP list)

Drone Fly in Montgomery Co., Maryland (10/27/2022). (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Photo by Katja Schulz via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A Drone Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (10/8/2014).Verified by Kelsey J.R.P. Byers/BugGuide. Photo by Jesse Christopherson. (MBP list)

A female Drone Fly in Baltimore Co., Maryland (5/25/2017). Determined by John S. Ascher/BugGuide. Photo by Emily Stanley. (MBP list)

Drone Fly in Kent Co., Maryland (6/11/2021). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Pamela Cowart-Rickman. (MBP list)

Drone Fly in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/18/2020). (c) Timothy Reichard, all rights reserved. Photo by Timothy Reichard. (MBP list)

Drone Fly in Baltimore Co., Maryland (4/28/2021). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

A Drone Fly in Calvert Co., Maryland (11/9/2020). Verified by Ken Wolgemuth/BugGuide. Photo by Jim Moore. (MBP list)

Drone Fly in Baltimore Co., Maryland (4/28/2021). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

Drone Fly in Garrett Co., Maryland (7/3/2023). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA). Photo by Judy Gallagher. (MBP list)

A female Drone Fly in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (11/25/2006). Photo by Stephen Schueman. (MBP list)

A Drone Fly larva in Calvert Co., Maryland (4/26/2012). Photo by Mary B. Hollinger. (MBP list)


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