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  • Bee attack.

    Am wondering what is going on here and hopefully you bee experts can explain. Whilst having a coffee near one of my plum trees which is in full blossom, I noticed a bee visit one of the flowers. As it collected pollen I saw another type of bee with a very long protruding spike/spear hover over the busy bee then suddenly swoop down onto the bee. The bee flew off with the other in hot pursuit. I now curious, saw this action repeated several times, sometimes the attack was so quick the pollinating bee had barely landed on the flower. What on earth is going on - is the agressive attacker trying to harm the pollinating bee - is it just being territorial or what? Would be very interested to hear from you. Thanks.

  • #2
    Now I know a bee fly has a long spike as a nose is this what you mean or was the spike on the abdomen.
    I'm only here cos I got on the wrong bus.

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    • #3
      The long spike was at the head as a nose Mikey.

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      • #4
        Originally posted by cheops View Post
        type of bee with a very long protruding spike/spear hover
        It's a type of hoverfly, the bee fly
        All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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        • #5
          Sounds like a Bee Fly.
          Attached Files
          Feed the soil, not the plants.
          (helps if you have cluckies)

          Man v Squirrels, pigeons & Ants
          Bob

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          • #6
            Thanks everyone though I was less interested in its identification than its behaviour I was watching. It or they certainly didn't want other pollinating bees around as they were immediately either chased off or it was a malicious attack. I never saw where the beefly[flies ] came from to attack the pollinating bee [THEY ARE SO QUICK]but I got the impression they were hovering close by waiting for a bee. I was wondering if others had ever witnessed this behaviour. I have searched the internet and nowhere is it mentioned they will harm a pollinating bee or even chase them off. All a bit strange really.

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