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Species Copestylum mexicanum - Mexican Cactus Fly

Tabanid - Copestylum mexicanum - female Big black Hoverfly ? - Copestylum mexicanum Hard Life (Mexican Cactus Fly) - Copestylum mexicanum Large Fly - Copestylum mexicanum - female Blow Fly sp.? - Copestylum mexicanum - male - female A particularly nice Mexican cactus fly - Copestylum mexicanum - female Large Bumble Fly? - Copestylum mexicanum Copestylum mexicana ? - Copestylum mexicanum - female
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Diptera (Flies)
No Taxon (Aschiza)
Family Syrphidae (Syrphid Flies)
Subfamily Eristalinae
Tribe Volucellini
Genus Copestylum
Species mexicanum (Mexican Cactus Fly)
Other Common Names
Mexican Flower Fly
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Older references may use the genus Volucella: Volucella mexicana, or Volucella nigra, now both considered invalid junior synonyms.(see ITIS reference)
Food
Larvae feed on rotting cactus. Adults feed on nectar from various flowers.
Remarks
Please note the correct spelling of specific epithet: Copestylum mexicanum (Macquart, 1842).
Internet References
The Joshua Tree National Park has some info.
Dave Pehling has a shot of V. mexicana at his Bug of the Month site.
ITIS Report