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Photo#12958
Bee Fly - Hemipenthes

Bee Fly - Hemipenthes
Desert Botanical Garden, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
March 9, 2005
Size: circa 10 mm
This fly does have a fairly short proboscis, not a long one like Bombylius--I can see that clearly in another, more lateral, photo. The sharp zig-zag border on the dark area of the wings sure is distinctive. I'm thinking Hemipenthes looks close, compare these other photos in the guide:



Robin McLeod suggests that this is very close to Hemipenthes morio, an apparently holarctic species illustrated nicely from Germany. I'd say this is all worth a move at least to the genus level.

This Arizona Hemipenthes is taking nectar on Brittlebush, Encilia farinosa, I believe. The abundant cultivated native plants at the Desert Botanical Garden are real insect magnets. The garden is a good place to watch some really tame desert birds, mammals, and even lizards as well. (It is great for botany, of course.)

ID
I think I've seen this called Hemipenthes eumenes in museums, but I am no expert on the genus. It's relatively large, widespread and common.

 
Thanks, any more details?
Thanks very much. Do you have any more details?
Interesting, I see we have a guide page for the species here, which does list it from Arizona.

It would be great, too, if you could describe some of your expertise on your user page.

Again, thanks for your helpful comments.

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