Two are excellent Hornet mimics and there is one Bumblebee mimic, which often means the public are fooled into thinking these impressive insects aren't actually flies at all . All are associated with Bee and Wasp nests, either scavenging from the bottom of the nest or (in the case of Volucella inanis) as ectoparasites of Wasp larvae.

Nectar sources for Volucella Hoverflies

All our Volucellas occur as adults from mid-Summer to early Autumn, visiting flowers such as Bramble, Devil's-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) and a range of Umbellifers. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is particularly attractive. In gardens, they are strongly attracted to the flowers of Buddleia, but the hardy perennial Astrantia (shown in the accompanying photographs of Volucella zonaria and inanis) will certainly also attract V. pellucens.

Nottinghamshire distribution of Volucella zonaria, inanis, pellucens and bombylans

Volucella zonaria has the most restricted range in Nottinghamshire of the four species. Based solely on the records we have, or which have been sent in to us, V. zonaria is uncommon within suburban Nottingham, but considerably rarer in rural areas. V. inanis has moved north through the UK in recent decades and the number of Nottinghamshire records has also increased. Up to four V. inanis were recorded by Pauline Bradford, from the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust's Dyscarr Wood in the north-west of the county during 2014.

Nottinghamshire distribution: Apart from a single record at Dyscarr Wood in the north-west of Nottinghamshire, most records are from the suburban areas of Nottingham, where it is attracted to garden flowers. We have seen V. zonaria in company with V. inanis.

Nottinghamshire distribution: From the records we have, V. inanis has a similar Nottinghamshire distribution to V. zonaria and the two can occasionally be found in suburban gardens together. All records are from sites west of the River Trent, but this may well be due to observer coverage than a westerly distribution.

Nottinghamshire distribution: More widely distributed and found in a wide range of habitats, across the whole of Nottinghamshire than the other three species, V. pellucens can be expected wherever there are flowers. Creeping Thistle seems to be particularly attractive to them as a nectar source. Does turn up regularly in suburban gardens .

Nottinghamshire distribution: Found along woodland rides, the edges of woodland and grassy habitats etc, occurring fairly commonly across most of Nottinghamshire.