The Drone Fly is a large, robust hoverfly that closely mimics a honey bee drone, complete with similar size, coloring, and buzzing flight. Its larvae are the famous 'rat-tailed maggots' — aquatic grubs that breathe through a long extendable tail tube in anaerobic sewage and manure pools. Adults are important pollinators and one of the first hoverflies seen in spring.
Best time to see a Drone Fly
The best time to see a Drone Fly is June–October, when about 74% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 17,686 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Drone Fly? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Drone Fly sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Drone Fly?
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