DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

LOWER BRACHYCERA > ASILOMORPHA > Asiloidea > Bombyliidae (9 species)

(subfamilies: Anthracinae, Bombyliinae, Exoprosopinae and Phthiriinae)

A small, but varied family consisting of four easily recognisable Bombylius bee-flies that have densely furry bodies and a long conspicuous proboscis; three relatively large Villa species, albeit one is exceptionally rare and probably extinct, a beautiful southern heathland bee-fly Thyridanthrax fenestratus and an interesting recent addition Anthrax anthrax, all of which lack a projecting proboscis; and lastly, a tiny, rarely observed flea bee-fly Phthiria pulicaria.

All of these species are distinctive and well described, so there's no point in quoting general family characters. All I would say is that they are attractive and interesting species to observe, and nice flies to photograph, particularly as they settle with their wings held horizontally rather than held back covering the body.

Sadly, there are very few parts of the country where you're able to see more than a couple of these species, which is why I'm particularly fortunate where I live as, statistically, it's pretty much the only area where five different bee-flies could be found in reasonably close proximity.

Anthrax anthrax (Black-winged or Anthracite Bee-fly)

An impressive, large European bee-fly with long black-wings; a species that until recently was deemed somewhat questionable as there were only a couple of dubious old records. However, in 2018 an individual was seen and photographed in Kent and, looking at the NBN Atlas now, shows that there have been a lot more sightings since then. They are nearly all from the same general area suggesting local colonisation, but in June 2023 and again in 2024 the species was found in Wiltshire near Swindon, which is obviously a very significant distance away, so I guess that it's only a matter of time before we start seeing it in other areas of the south.

Bombylius discolor (Dotted Bee-fly )

A relatively large, rather attractive species with very distinctive dotted wings. Although it can be found reasonably easily in my general area at the right time of the year, it is designated nationally scarce even though it's our second most frequently recorded bee-fly after Bombylius major, albeit with only around 10% of the confirmed sightings of that species.

Bombylius canescens (Western Bee-fly)

As its common name suggests, Bombylius canescens primarily occurs in South Wales and across the west country, primarily from Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire, but also with a few scattered records from Gloucestershire and West Dorset. It's pretty unlikely that I'm going to encounter this species in my general area unless its range starts spreading further east.

Bombylius major  (Dark-edged Bee-fly)

Our most widespread and frequently observed species, accounting for just over 80% of all bee-fly records; occurring in a wide range of habitats, including downland and grassland areas, woodland and gardens; quite variable in size with a broad dark-chocolate strip along the front wing margin.

Bombylius minor (Heath Bee-fly)

A small southern heathland species, which is superficially similar to Bombylius canescens. Apart from Anthrax anthax and the handful of old records of Villa venusta, it is by far our rarest and least recorded bee-fly with the majority of sightings coming from a few Dorset heaths from late June to August. Given the right conditions I can usually find this species at Hartland Moor, but they are usually very active, which can make them difficult to spot and rather tricky to photograph!    

Thyridanthrax fenestratus (Mottled Bee-fly)

A rather splendid, patterned-winged fly that is pretty much restricted to a few southern heathland sites, primarily in Dorset and the New Forest, but also in Surrey and East Sussex, favouring areas where the Heath Sand Wasp Ammophila pubescens can be found as the larvae are parasitoids of that species. Although generally scarce, it can be quite common in some areas and again, on Hartland Moor for example, I've seen as many as twenty along a relatively short stretch of sandy path. That said, I can't remember seeing it on any of the other heathland sites I visit. Given the vote, I'd make Thyridanthrax fenestratus my favourite bee-fly species.

Villa cingulata (Downland Villa)

A southern downland bee-fly, which until quite recently was far scarcer that it is today as current records show a marked increase both in confirmed sightings and distribution range. Although primarily occurring on chalk downland or scrubby calcareous grasslands, it is now being found in other habitats, such as open woodland, as was the case with the individual I photographed in Garston Wood.       

Villa modesta (Dune Villa)

A widespread, but very localised species that is primarily found on coastal dunes and a few inland sandy heaths. As far as I can ascertain, it has never been officially recorded from Dorset and, although there have been a few recent sightings in Hampshire, they seem to have all come from a location on Hayling Island. 

Villa venusta (Heath Villa)

Critically endangered and probably extinct, very few records, most of which are from Dorset, but with the last confirmed sighting back in the late 1950's.

Phthiria pulicaria (Flea Bee-fly)

A very small, easily overlooked species which, to my eyes, doesn't look like a bee-fly at first glance. Widespread, but localised, primarily occurring on coastal dunes. It has been recorded in Dorset in the past but, apart from one confirmed sighting on Studland Heath in 2010, all the other records are over 25-years old. Of course, that doesn't mean that it can't be found, so it's one to look out for.

Updated, Dec.24 (v.2)