A Greater Bee Fly (Bombylius major) rests in the sun on a patch of grass.
The large bee fly, Bombylius major, is a bee mimic. The eggs are flicked by the adult female toward the entrance of the underground nests of solitary bees and wasps. After hatching, the larvae find their way into the nests to feed on the grubs.
The adult is 14 to 18 mm in length, squat and very hairy, with a wingspan of around 24 mm. It has dark patches on the anterior half of the wings and long hairy legs that dangle while in flight. Bee flies are expert flyers, and their hovering habit has led to their being incorrectly called a species of hoverfly (Syrphidae). The very long proboscis is used to feed on the nectar of many species of flower, especially primroses.
Bombylius major can be found in April to June throughout temperate Europe and North America and some parts of Asia.
Description from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombylius_major
11 recovery in ACR