Here’s yet another hover fly. This is the Common Drone Fly. Its distinguishing features are curved and thickened hind feet; vertical stripes of dark hairs on its eyes; and a broad dark facial stripe. The European drone-fly had a pale, dusted face with no line.
This drone-fly is quite furry and has bee-looking stripes, as it is trying to mimic a bee. However, its eyes are large like a house-fly and it doesn’t have a waist. Here’s a common carder bee next to a common drone-fly, so you can see for yourself.
![](https://portmellonvalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Common-Carder-Bee-04-230915.jpg)
![](https://portmellonvalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Common-Drone-fly-04-230915.jpg)