Thick-headed Fly - Physocephala burgessi

Moved

Moved from Conopinae.

… Alice Cavette, 3 June, 2010 - 12:03pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Alice Cavette, 2 June, 2010 - 2:43pm

Conopidae -

Looks very much like Physocephala burgessi.

… Hartmut Wisch, 2 June, 2010 - 1:44pm

Thick-headed Fly

Like yours?:

Thanks for the id!

… Alice Cavette, 2 June, 2010 - 2:42pm

Yes, Alice, quite sure this

is the same species. Some unusual P. texana can be somewhat similar, but have dorsum of thorax mostly black, and the red is not as full and dark as in burgessi.
Interesting to see this from your area. Bombus sonorus is a known host, & I bet others as well.

… Hartmut Wisch, 2 June, 2010 - 11:54pm

Bumblee Bee Host

Hartmut,
Can you tell me more about Bumble Bees hosting flies? Do they carry eggs? Sounds interesting :)

Oh, I see this in Thick-headed Fly Info:

"Larvae are endoparasites, chiefly of adult bumblebees and wasps. Adults take nectar."

"Flies oviposit on hosts during flight. Larvae feed on bumblebee, wasps, etc."

Cool!

… Alice Cavette, 3 June, 2010 - 2:47pm