Looks like a hover fly. The fact your asking means that its evolutionary colouring has worked. They're completely harmless, but they've evolved the colouring of bees / wasps to trick predictors.
this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2023
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I always thought hoverflies were way smaller
Not a bee, they have legs fuzzies for collecting pollen, and are generally hairier than wasps. This may be a wasp or another insect mimicking a bee/wasp possibly?
I would guess hoverfly based on the eyes and face. In the UK we have these badass things called hornet mimic hoverflies, that look similar to this. I have beehives and these little buggers love to try and sneak in and steak honey. They are magnificent though.
This was taken in southern England so could well ~~bee~~ be one!
I'm that case I'd say almost certainly yes. I never knew they existed until a few years ago. First time I saw one I thought it was a massive hornet. So their disguise works
Sneaky bastards!
Besp.
wee
Hover fly?