 Milesia virginiensis (Yellowjacket Hover Fly). | Since we have yellowjackets, I was pretty convinced that this is one of those dangerous fellas. However, it turned out to be only a big hover fly that mimics the Southern Yellowjacket. Citing from the field guide by Eaton&Kaufman: "Flies aggressively and buzzes like a hornet. In the south, sometimes called the '[good] news bee' for its habit of hovering in front of a person "giving the news". It is also said to be good luck if one can get the insect to perch on a finger, no doubt because this is difficult to do."
bug guide (this photo): https://bugguide.net/node/view/1730385 |