Amidst the damp green grass, drenched by a light drizzle, I found a Eumerus figurans (ginger maggot) fly standing gracefully on the tip of one of the grass blades. From a distance, I thought it was a bee. It wasn't until I got closer that I realized the insect in front of me wasn't a bee. Its color and body shape closely resembled a bee, but it was actually a mimic fly.
The two things that made it easiest for me to distinguish this insect from a bee were its antennae and wings. Bees have slightly longer antennae, while this insect has very tiny ones. Such tiny antennae are a hallmark of flies. The same goes for its wings. Bees have two pairs of wings, while this insect only has one. In terms of its color combination, this insect truly resembles a bee. Its entire body is also covered in fine hairs, further enhancing its bee-like appearance.
Another thing that sets this insect apart from a bee is that it doesn't sting. This insect doesn't have a stinger, so it's safe to approach. Judging by its costume, this insect is one of the luckiest. It's safe from predators. Predators don't like bees. But I'm not sure if all predators would be fooled by its costume. Experienced predators certainly won't be fooled wkwkwkkkkk.
| Latin name | Eumerus figurans |
|---|---|
| Observation date | 15 Mar, 2026 |
| Camera used | realme 7 Pro |
| Photographers |  |
| Location | Aceh, Indonesia |
| Link to original community |
|---|
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/343031600
| Latitude | Longitude | Map |
|---|---|---|
| 4.695135 | 96.7493993 | https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=4.695135&mlon=96.7493993 |