Is this a giant Hoverfly?

[Catherine]

It was in the lounge, whirring loudly like a helicopter and it flew straight for Glen.

Big mistake!

Out came the fly-swat, and 'Zap!' it was no more....

Now we always help Bees to get back outside (the tumbler and postcard are always ready for 'Bee rescues') and we'd never intentionally kill a Hoverfly, but this insect sounded exactly like a Hornet - and was really BIG!

Is it a Hoverfly, or is it a large fly of sorts, mimicking a Hoverfly?

[Chocky]

Yes it's a Hoverfly. Great shots. poor thing

[Catherine]

It was an inch long and the same wide.

I have never seen one that size before.

As the colouring is very brownish for a Hoverfly, could it be some other fly in disguise?

I've checked lots of pics, but cannot find one like it!

[Chocky]

No . It's a Hoverfly. There are several different types
This one is probably the hoverfly: Volucella zonaria
Here it is

[Catherine]

It's definitely not that one, Beryl. It was the first I came across via Google.

This one is much more brown and has no yellow at all. The one you gave link to has a lot of yellow and is two-banded.

I know that it's having a flattish body makes it more likely to be a Hoverfly - but which one?

I'll Google further and let you know what I find!

[ladylouise62]

This Hoverfly is a first for me, Catherine - and like you, I've not been able to spot it on Google (or elsewhere). Nice clear shot though - when we do find it we should be able to compare it well. What does amaze me is how many bands it has.. that 's just greedy!

[Catherine]

Received this very quick reply from Gary at UK Safari;

Thanks for your message. The swatted insect in your photo
is a type of horsefly called Tabanus sudeticus. You can find
details about horseflies on UK Safari here:
Horse Flies - Tabanidae - UK Safari

The females can give a bite, but they don't sting.

So it's a Horsefly, and according to Wikipedia it's the heaviest 'dipteran' in Europe!

Tabanus sudeticus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Not too sad that Glen swatted her now!)

[ladylouise62]

Wow - from the top it looks like a Hoverfly. so when you said

As the colouring is very brownish for a Hoverfly, could it be some other fly in disguise?

you were pointing in the right direction

Interesting find.

[Catherine]

Louise, I have to admit I was completely confused by it, so any direction I was coincidentally pointing in was pure guesswork!

I've just read this; The Ranger's Blog - Post details: Check out this massive fly It's very informative.

Here are some pics I took of it just now - just to compare the size to a 2p piece. The ants have been very interested in it - hence its deflated thorax I guess...!

[ladylouise62]

Wow, - one big beggar!!! YOU never really appreciate size by measurements - comparison is always better, If I can, I always take a shot of the moths etc with my thumb in shot so I can work out the size later - that's my 'rule of thumb'
But I do feel for it with its little feet pointing up into the air

[joe]

I don't want that flying in my house.