A bee-fly of the family Bombyliidae. These flies show a striking resemblance to bumble bees, being very hairy, squat bodied flies. Many species have a long proboscis, held rigidly out in front of the body. It is a nectar feeder and highly agile in flight, unlike a bumble bee. The larvae of bee-flies all parasitise other insects, with the majority attacking solitory bee and wasps. Eggs are laid on flowers and the larvae are then carried to the nests of their hosts. Alternatively eggs are laid near the nests of solitory bees and wasps, the larvae making theirown way into the nest. Once in the nest they feed on both the stored food and the young larvae.