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BugGuide Gathering
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University of Tennessee Biological Field Station
August 8-10, 2008
 
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Photo#38551
Robber Fly Holcocephala fusca ? - Holcocephala

Robber Fly Holcocephala fusca ? - Holcocephala
Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA
Summer 2005. I believe this is a Holcocephala fusca ? There seems to be 3 species in this particular area.

Two different species
These are terrific pictures. The first picture, of a generally reddish individual, I believe is Holcocephala fusca. The second, blacker, slenderer one, is H. calva. Calva is longer and slenderer than fusca, is black on the dorsal surface of the abdomen (rather than orange, as with fusca), and has the abdomen pinched in the middle into an hourglass shape. It also has that more elaborate pattern on the ventral side of the abdomen, and darker legs. Perhaps because of the longer abdomen, it often seems to perch much straighter up and down, fusca at more of an angle, as these two pictures show. These pictures should be separated in the Guide.

Awesome shot!
Can you tell me what camera and lens you used for this? Thanks very much. Ann

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