What Bee is This? - Ask Extension
Is it a variety of leaf-cutter? Taken this morning, 2/4/26, on a heather bush in a residential area of Portland's West Hills.
Knowledgebase
What Bee is This? #924244
Asked February 04, 2026, 6:34 PM EST
Is it a variety of leaf-cutter? Taken this morning, 2/4/26, on a heather bush in a residential area of Portland's West Hills.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Jon,
It is much too early for leafcutting bees (they are typically first seen around June). This is actually a fly. You can tell this from three characteristics: 1) the shortened antennae, 2) the eyes that wrap around the head and 3) the fact that it has only one pair of wings. My guess is that it is a Drone Flies, in the Genus Eristalis.
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/52491-Eristalis?photo_id=4416263
Flies typically visit flowers at lower temperatures than bees. On warmer days you might notice honey bees, as they stay active all winter. Most other bee species are in dormancy at this point in the winter. Bumble bees will start emerging from winter soon (they have been spotted at locations) and should be the first non-honey bee and non-fly that you will see.
It is much too early for leafcutting bees (they are typically first seen around June). This is actually a fly. You can tell this from three characteristics: 1) the shortened antennae, 2) the eyes that wrap around the head and 3) the fact that it has only one pair of wings. My guess is that it is a Drone Flies, in the Genus Eristalis.
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/52491-Eristalis?photo_id=4416263
Flies typically visit flowers at lower temperatures than bees. On warmer days you might notice honey bees, as they stay active all winter. Most other bee species are in dormancy at this point in the winter. Bumble bees will start emerging from winter soon (they have been spotted at locations) and should be the first non-honey bee and non-fly that you will see.
Thanks! There were definitely bumble bees and honey bees in the heather, and quite a few other types of flies as well. Our weather has been remarkably warm and sunny for this time of year.
On Feb 8, 2026, at 8:29 AM, Ask Extension wrote:
