Species Mallophora orcina - Southern Bee Killer

Classification · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Season · Food · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Southern Bee Killer and prey - Mallophora orcina

BG1343 D0528 - Mallophora orcina - female

Bumblebee-mimicking robber fly - Mallophora orcina - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon ("Orthorrhapha" (Brachycera excluding Aschiza and Schizophora))

Superfamily Asiloidea

Family Asilidae (Robber Flies)

Subfamily Asilinae

Genus Mallophora (Bee Killers)

Species orcina (Southern Bee Killer)

Explanation of Names

Author of species is Wiedeman. Name likely refers to a larger predator, Orca orcina, the "killer" whale, or Orca. (Based on Internet searches.)

Size

20 mm

Identification

Large, hairy bumblebee mimic.

Range

Eastern United States: North Carolina (and further north?), west to Ohio, Missouri, south to Florida.

Season

July-September (North Carolina). April-August (Florida)

Food

Predatory on other insects, including bees.

Print References

Brimley, p. 338 (1)

Internet References

Univ. Florida--Featured Creatures, gives key versus M. nigra, M. bomboides.

Herschel Raney

Bromley, Ohio Robber Flies V--reprint

Works Cited

1.	Insects of North Carolina By C.S. Brimley

Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason on 5 September, 2004 - 10:59am
Additional contributions by cotinis
Last updated 11 July, 2006 - 10:11pm

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