Thick Headed Fly

On an early morning dog walk, I found this fly on a seed head. I didn't recognise it but did see the photographic potential as it was a very unusual looking fly. I did a side profile and a head-on shot. This was the head-on version. The fly reminded me of an apache helicopter!When I got home a friend identified it as a Thick Headed Fly (Conopidae). These are parasitic flies that lay their eggs in bees (actually in flight). They actually fire a torpedo-like egg into the bee. The larvae then grow inside the bee eating it from the inside!Amazing insects!

Thick Headed Fly

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