Hoverflies are the best known wasp and bee mimics, which do an impressive impersonation of their more dangerous distant cousins.
Many hoverflies have evolved these black and yellow ‘don’t mess with me’ markings, but are just bluffing – they are completely harmless.

Volucella pellucens is a large, stout hoverfly (13-18 mm) with a distinctive abdomen: black with a broad cream-white band, giving it the appearance of a bee or wasp.
The wings have a yellowish base and a distinctive brown-black center patch.
This species occurs in much of Europe, and across the Palearctic to Japan.
The species flies from May to August.

1st photo: In my yard, Hilversum, The Netherlands, 3 September 2012
2nd & 3rd photo: 's Graveland, The Netherlands, 13 August 2012
4th photo: In my yard, Hilversum, The Netherlands, 28 July 2023