Conops quadrifasciatus, body length 8-12 mm
Family… Conopidae- Thick Headed Flies.
Many species have wasp-like colouring and markings, they can be seen regularly feeding (and mating) on flowers; are also good pollinators.
Thick-headed flies are parasitic insects and the larvae feed on adult bumble bees and wasps, can also occasionally attack, solitary bees, crickets and grasshoppers etc. They wait on flowers for a host to arrive, (normally Bumble bees) whilst holding on to the bee they inject an egg into the abdomen. The egg hatches and the larva feeds on the bee's abdominal contents for about ten days. The bee eventually dies and the larva then pupates and emerges the following summer.
Habitat... Wherever the prey lives, although woodland edges, hedgerows, meadows and clearings seem to be favourite. Adults prefer warm sunny areas with attractive nectar sources.