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Photo#102929
Laphria thoracica

Laphria thoracica
Millcreek Twsp., Erie County, Pennsylvania, USA
July 7, 2005
Size: about 25 mm
Fascinating behavior. Bullington mentioned on his website that laphrids often preyed upon buprestids (metallic wood-boring beetles), and here's one doing just that. Apparently, the vertically compressed proboscis on these flies aids in disabling the beetles, caught in flight, before they can close their elytra. The beetle appears to possibly be genus Brachys, but feel free to chime in on that too.

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Laphria thoracica Laphria thoracica Laphria thoracica Laphria thoracica