[Jane Turner]

Not a brilliant picture, but here is a Bee and its mimic - I'm assuming a hover fly. Also a close up of the mimic

[steve_nova]

Well observed Jane. The bee mimic always closes it's wings one above the other and is less active (industrious) than it's looks counterpart. You are right to think that it is a hoverfly (Syriphidae) and is probably one of the members of the genus Eristalis.

[steve_nova]

It looks like after a search that it might be Eristalis intricarius the second image down on this page.

ps, as you can see, they don't always close their wings.

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by steve_nova

It looks like after a search that it might be Eristalis intricarius the second image down on this page.

ps, as you can see, they don't always close their wings.

If you look closer you will find that Bumblebees have four wings and Hoverflies have only two wings.

Harry

[Joern Lehmhus]

What about the black form of Merodon equestris, the narcissus bulb fly, for the Hover fly?
That looks better than the other common possibilities Volucella bombylans and Eristalis intricarius.

By the way, Jane, is the plant an Erigeron species?

[Jane Turner]

I saw a similar beastie yesterday, though the front section of the thorax was yellowish...


Sorry Joern, no idea about the plant except that it appears to thrive in sand and flowers from April to December......and is loved by all nectar liking insects.

[steve_nova]

I know Jörn is correct with the Erigeron and is also probably correct for the insect ident.
I am familiar with various species of Erigeron (work in a garden centre) and thought that at first sight especially because of the ruff of involucral bracts behind the flower head and the fact there are far more florets in the head that a Bellis or Leucanthemum.

[scampo]

Originally Posted by harry eales

If you look closer you will find that Bumblebees have four wings and Hoverflies have only two wings.

Harry

That's a useful tip - thanks, Harry.