09/06/09:249/365 notab
Originally uploaded by D&J Huber
No, this is not a bee. Or a wasp. It's a fly, and a member of the Family Syrphidae. It's completely harmless.
These flies, like many other creatures, have evolved to look a lot like a more harmful creature. That way, as long as there are enough of the models (i.e. bees and wasps) around, hungry predators will also leave the otherwise defenseless flies alone. This particular type of mimicry is termed Batesian mimicry.
Another well-known example of this phenomenon are the monarch and viceroy butterflies. Monarch caterpillars eat milkweed, which leaves them with a bitter tasting toxin in their bodies as adults. The viceroy does not taste bitter, but looks for all intents and purposes like a monarch. So, predators generally leave both monarchs and viceroys alone.
Oh, and these are the calendula flowers that I grew from seed last spring. They are now a nice display by our front sidewalk.
