Bombylius cruciatus (Fabricius 1798)
Family: Bombyliidae
Body length 12mm to 15mm
Flight season May to June.
Habitat: Grasslands and often seen visiting flowers for nectar, which is extracted by
the long stiff proboscis while in flight.
They are mainly parasitoids and infest the nests of solitary bees and possibly wasps.
The larvae eat the larvae of bees and wasps, also they consume their food stores.
Markings on sexes differ, below are images of the male and female. The female having a white belt across her back, which the male lacks.