Hover Fly Parasitising Beehive?

[dlawr42103]

This afternoon I spotted a hover fly trying for around 15 minutes to gain access into one of my beehives.

I have never witnessed this before.

Just found its a type of Hover fly called volucella pellucens which apparently lays its eggs in wasp nests. I was just wondering if that was what it was thinking of doing here?

Im not concerned it could have caused any serious harm, just interested if anyone else has ever witnessed this?

I have attached a link to a youtube clip of it trying to get in, and a photo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX3zvzknNOk&feature=youtu.be

 

[kazmcc]

I have these in my garden. They have a funny way of flying

Why wasn't it challenged being so close to the hive entrance?

 

[rayz_x]

The bees may not always recognise whether something is a parasite, real threat or mimic. We had an interesting hoverfly a few days ago. Thought it was a hornet at first, but it landed on the landing board and the bees ignored it. On close inspection it was a hoverfly.
http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/hornet-mimic-hoverfly

Ray

 

[geebee]

One of those was sitting on the landing board of a hive this evening, wondered what it was, now I know. Thanks