I've been seeing these on Gomphrena plants I have this year, never seen them before on anything though. They look like a cross between a fly and a bee, and are quite docile (they hover and will let you 'direct' them with a hand for lack of a better term). anyone have any ideas?
Here's a supercloseup shot.
Here's one more at more of a distance.
I think you hit the nail on the head - common name is a "bee fly" (a lot easier than Bombylius). Great close up!
http://www.cirrusimage.com/flies_bee_Bombylius_major.htm
Yeah it's definitely something along those lines, but that page say they are difficult to approach, while the ones I have don't seem to mind at all having a lens stuck in their faces lol, also that directing thing they let you do as I mentioned above. Thanks for getting me in the right genus though!:-)
Here in the South (USA) we have these strange moths that feed on flowers during the day. I know it is not the insect in question but thought you folks would like to see it. G
We have a moth like that here, only with a banded rear end hehe. I think they're called hawk moths.
They are called hawk moths. The other picture may be one of the orchard bees.
