image

High-speed photograph of the bee fly Bombylius major having landed on the flower Valeriana and about to drink nectar. The long proboscis of this fly is used to reach nectar found at the base of the flower tube. In the process of feeding, pollen grains attach to this long mouthpart and Bombylius acts as a pollinator, transferring pollen to other Valeriana flowers. Bee flies (family Bombyliidae), despite their unusual appearance, are true flies belonging to the order Diptera. The larvae of the genus Bombylius are parasites of various species of bee. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/CLAUDE NURIDSANY & MARIE PERENNOU)