Bee-like Robber Fly (Laphria thoracica)

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Photo by ForestDragon

Published on Project Noah

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40.7839, -73.2

Field Notes

Description:

Spotting #600! Large fly, similar in size to a Bumble Bee. Furry, yellow and black. Dark face, reddish hairs on legs. Bumble Bee mimic. Predatory, feeding on other insects including bees and other robber flies.

Habitat:

Suburban yard.

Notes:

This beautiful fellow was very calm and allowed me to handle him (or her). Every now and again he would move his head and look around (see picture 1).

Reference Links:

Species Laphria thoracica - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (8)

AntónioGinjaGinja

600 spottings ForestDragon :-) congrats my friend and thanks for sharing such a interesting spotting page

ForestDragon

Thanks everybody! Kathleen, you are correct. RiekoS, yours is definitely a bumble bee.

RiekoS

May I ask? I spotted attached. It was quite large, so I thought this was a bee. Do you think this is the same as your spotting? Thank you. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/30760406

LaurenZarate

Wonderful series! Love this. I'm going to start looking closer at every Bumble Bee. These guys are amazing bee mimics.

Malcolm Wilton-Jones

Congratulations on reaching 600!

KathleenMcEachern

So I am a little confused here. Are you also Tamar Beecher?

KathleenMcEachern

Congratulations on 600 spottings. Nice collection!

LuisStevens

Great series Forest Dragon! Congrats on your 600th!