[wags]

Snapped this photo out in yard today. Is this a drone mating with a 'new queen'? They both look like drones, based on their eyes - though the top bee looks more like a drone-like than the bottom.

Watched until the drone flew away, i didn't see him appendage left on the bottom bee.

While I was watching, another bee landed on the two during the encounter, then quickly flew away.

 

[Dave Burrup]

My first thought some kind of flies.
Dave

 

[waynesgarden]

Not a queen. It would be tough to get a photo. Queens mate while airborne.

Wayne

 

[xbeeman412]

Here is a video of a queen mating.


http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/11/4...on-footage-of-a-queen-bee-mating-with-a-drone

 

[larrybeach]

Not a honey bee, but yes I believe they are mating. I have some native bees that look very similar to honey bees, but they are solitary and live in the ground.

 

[scorpionmain]

Some type of flies.
Look at the short antenna

Kinda looks like this fly Eristalis tenax:

 

[Beeonefarms]

fly, bee,,, give them some privacy.. GZZZZZZ but hey check out her eyes.... made you look

 

[wags]

Thanks for the replies. Turns out it's a "mimic fly".

Amazing how similar they look to a honeybee, but yes the antennas and shape/size of the compound eyes are a give away.

 

[Hogback Honey]

That video was so cool! Man, that took some patience, and knowhow, to shoot. Thanks so much for sharing xbeeman!

 

[chkin11]

Ya thanks for the video!