Bee-like Robber Fly

Laphria thoracica

A large species of robber fly that is very hairy and has bee-mimicking coloration, including black and yellow stripes on its abdomen.
Bee-like Robber Fly The hunter in disguise, Bee-like Robber Fly (Laphria thoracica) looks like a bumble bee in an urban garden, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Bee-like Robber Fly,Canada,Geotagged,Laphria thoracica,Ontario,Ottawa,Summer

Appearance

This species has a black mystax with some scattered yellow hairs, and mostly black hairs surrounding the eyes. The thorax is yellow, and the abdomen has black and yellow stripes. The yellow arc of hairs that extend from the anterior of the thorax to below the wing insert are a useful field mark for identification. The adults are 15–25 mm long.
Bee-like Robber Fly A huge robber fly that was very hairy and had bee-mimicking colors- including on it's abdomen, which had black and yellow stripes. These flies prey on insects, including other robber flies. Their specialized mouthparts allow them to penetrate the elytra of beetles - not an easy task! They inject their prey with special enzymes, which liquefy/dissolve the insect's guts, which are then sucked out by the robber fly. Insect smoothie ;) Bee-like Robber Fly,Geotagged,Laphria,Laphria thoracica,Spring,United States,bee mimic,fly,mimicry,robber fly

Distribution

North America

Habitat

Especially spotted along woodland edges.

Food

They prey on insects of various species, including other robber flies, bees, wasps and beetles. Their mouthparts are designed to allow them to penetrate the exoskeletons of other insects, after which they inject enzymes into their prey, which liquefy their insides. The robber fly can then suck out the contents of the liquefied insect.

References:

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http://eol.org/pages/775334/overview
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderDiptera
FamilyAsilidae
GenusLaphria
SpeciesLaphria thoracica
Photographed in
Canada
United States of America