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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » Acalyptratae » Milichiidae
Photo#53151
Spider, Bee, and Uninvited Guest
Copyright © 2006 Chuck Entz

Spider, Bee, and Uninvited Guest
Encino, Los Angeles County, California, USA
May 20, 2006

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Spider, Bee, and Uninvited Guest Spider, Bee, and Uninvited Guest
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Contributed by Chuck Entz on 21 May, 2006 - 6:52am
Last updated 26 December, 2006 - 11:39pm

very interesting image!
We've had a number of images of flies coming in when a stinkbug is attacked, but this is the first we've noticed with a honeybee. See Eric's comments at or go directly to Milichiidae
… john and jane balaban, 21 May, 2006 - 11:08am login or register to post comments

 
Milichidae and Stinkbugs
Perhaps the stinkbug's odor is just a convenient way for the fly to find out that a spider has caught something, which would explain the association with stinkbugs. If that were the case, then the fly might find other prey by watching the spider.

In this part of my front yard there are several low shrubs covered in flowers right now, with a spider every couple of square feet(probably more). The fly could just stake out the area and wait for movement.

Thanks for the info!
… Chuck Entz, 21 May, 2006 - 10:44pm login or register to post comments

 
Perhaps
If that is a fruitfly, it may be attracted to the honey in that bee's gullet. Awesome pic!

BTW, is that a Lynx Spider of some sort?
… Cliff Bernzweig, 23 May, 2006 - 11:21pm login or register to post comments

 
Perhaps not... :)
I don't think it's a fruit fly. As for the spider, she's an Oxyopes scalaris lynx spider:

I'm glad you like the picture.
… Chuck Entz, 24 May, 2006 - 6:50am login or register to post comments

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