Monday, March 26, 2007

What on Earth is one of these ?


Just tried to snap a very odd looking insect on my Shed. It furry like a bumble bee, but has wings like a jet fighter and a proboscis like a humming bird. I'm afraid my camera phone wasn't up to photos at such close range, I may try to sharpen this evening.

Does anyone have any idea what it is ? It was about half the size of a nearby bumble beed but with at least twice the wing area.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can't find it in my bird, insect or butterfly books therefore it is a moth. Bound to be, because I can't find my moth book.
Have you thought of buying a camera? Don't you think that telephones are better for telephoning and cameras better for taking pictures unless you are, which you are not, a drunken chav; in which case anything wil do?

Man in a Shed said...

By the time I get my camera these things have usual flow off. I've seen one or two insects around here that wouldn't have looked out of place on the film Evolution.

Man in a Shed said...

I should say the wings looked like fly or bee type material ( but shaped in a sweeped back delta - great for transonic flight !

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

It is a Bumble bee with its tongue out!

Bombus pascuorum. "has a rather thin coat ranging from almost black to a bright foxy red."
Collins Gem Insects p171

I should have paid more attention to the wings.

Man in a Shed said...

Billy thanks for that.

The wings are still a bit odd. Looking at this photo it doesn't seem the same - legs are thinner, wings more sweeped back - see here for a picture to compare..

Doing a search on the internet there are some pictures of Bombus pascuorum that are closer, but nothing that makes me sure.

What was also odd was the pointed nature of its head.

Next time, if there is one, I'll get the digital camera out !

Theo Spark said...

I have no idea what it is, but I do suggest that you do not piss it off!

The Daily Pundit said...

It could be a new type of drone designed to target Tory bloggers in sheds all over Britain. I wouldn't put anything past them these days.

Man in a Shed said...

Of course its a bug !

I've notice ants amassing at the base of the Shed also - and they're communists !

Also the first queen wasp - which reminds me to go out canvassing again to fight of the other yellow peril.

The Shaved Ape said...

Could it be a tiny Iranian vessel intent on taking more British hostages?

Man in a Shed said...

I now wonder if its not Bee Fly - see Bombyliidae

Man in a Shed said...

More info on the Bee fly - see more of them this year. I'm fairly sure this is it.