Bee Fly - Bombylius varius

Moved

… Joel Kits, 1 January, 2008 - 5:38pm

Thanks, Joel

Thanks for the move. As novice with no strong opinions about most IDs, I never know what I should do when things start getting moved/changed. I usually just sit back and wait for the dust to settle. Hopefully, the dust has settled on this one.

Marvin

… Marvin Smith, 2 January, 2008 - 11:13am

Moved

Moved from Bombylius.

… Beatriz Moisset, 5 December, 2007 - 11:39am

I don't think this is Bombylius, but Triploechus or Heterostylum.

… Andy Calderwood, 30 November, 2007 - 1:51pm

Bombylius

I'm almost certain this is a female B. varius. We have specimens here of this species, and they match all the visible characters in the photo.

… Joel Kits, 5 December, 2007 - 12:26pm

ID -NOT!

I stand corrected. This is certainly a very distinctive animal. If you recognize it, there is likely no doubt. Ignore my earlier suggestion.

… Andy Calderwood, 10 December, 2007 - 12:16pm

Bombylius

Nice find. This looks like B. varius, one of the more distinctive eastern Bombylius.

… Joel Kits, 12 June, 2007 - 10:24pm

Thanks...

Thanks for the species ID.

… Marvin Smith, 13 June, 2007 - 3:11am

Anthrax sp.? (Bombyliidae)

… Adalbert Goertz, 8 June, 2007 - 8:54pm

bee fly

i chased one that looked like this for 15 minutes last weekend around the low water bridge at erbie... i was thinking it was something in the genus Bombylius, but am not sure of that.

… edward trammel, 8 June, 2007 - 1:59pm

There are worse things....

There are worst things to do than chase flies, and certainly a lot worse places to be than on the Buffalo.

I think Bombylius is correct. I've added a second image that has a bit less glare on the wings. While I know absolutely nothing about interpreting wing venation, it looks the same as the one below to me. Now, I'll wait and see if anyone else agrees before moving ... Marvin.

… Marvin Smith, 9 June, 2007 - 12:18am

Bombylius

i am pretty confident about Bombylius, however, i am more partial to wasps... and do not have a species level key for Bombyliidae.

also, it is hard to find any place nicer than the buffalo to chase insects... the problem was not getting any pictures. it was a fine hike though, even getting rained on.

… edward trammel, 9 June, 2007 - 3:10am

Wasps...

Wasps I need plenty of help with too.

… Marvin Smith, 9 June, 2007 - 4:00am