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Photo#133017
What to call this - a moth?  A fly? - Exoprosopa decora

What to call this - a moth? A fly? - Exoprosopa decora
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, USA
August 1, 2007
Size: 1/2 inch or so
Flying around relatively close to sandy/rocky ground at midday. At first I thought it was a large horsefly or perhaps a bumblebee. For a while, I thought it was interested in the Ammophila procera's nest. The wasp seemed to be defending against this creature. It did land quite near the burrow, briefly. Mostly it flew, and lit on the ground or a plant, very briefly. Sorry for the awful light and awful picture, but perhaps someone will recognize it. The overwhelming impression is of black, winged creature. The wings are half clear and half dark, the body short and stout and hairy.

Bee fly.
This is a bee fly of some sort, family Bombyliidae. Many images in the guide you can compare to:-) Neat head-on shot you have here.

 
Thanks!
Thanks Eric for the quick clue! I've looked through all the images of Bombyliidae and what comes to closest to my memory of it is: Exoprosopa decora.

 
Exoprosopa decora looks good.
Hopefully, you'll get an expert's comment, but if not, I think you've got it nailed.

That's a lot of images to look through! As you've no doubt surmised, the wings are what to focus on, actually the wing veins or venation. (Color and body shape can be misleading.)

Fine work, Anne.

 
Details on bee fly behavior

 
Thanks Ron!
Great informative link! And matches my observations of this insect, to boot. I'm learning more each day!

I
know it's definitly a fly, i see them around my house, too. I dont know what knid of fly it is, though. Somebody else should be able to tell you exactly what kind of fly it is......

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