bee fly

noun

1. any of numerous dipterous insects of the family Bombyliidae, some of which resemble bees.

bee fly

noun

1. any hairy beelike nectar-eating dipterous fly of the family Bombyliidae , whose larvae are parasitic on those of bees and related insects

Word History and Origins

Origin of bee fly¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55