Wasp looking fly - Sphecomyia vittata

Moved

Moved from Flies.

… Beatriz Moisset, 11 May, 2008 - 11:05am

Mimicry

Wow! Now THAT'S impressive!
If it wasn't for the eyes & antennae I would have fallen for the mimicry!

… Jonas Insinga, 16 April, 2008 - 9:39pm

Sphecomyia vittata (Syrphidae)

Seemingly the female member of the copula. There is a page for this rare, but widespread Hover Fly species in BG (subfamily Eristalinae, tribe Milesiini).

… Richard Vernier, 16 April, 2008 - 8:56pm

Amazing Antennae

Even the antennae appear evolved to look wasplike.

… Stephen Hart, 16 April, 2008 - 8:04pm

They did

And contrary to most wasp-like flies with somewhat elongated antennae( e.g. Stratiomys sp. soldier Flies, Chrysotoxum sp. Hover Flies), the two first segments are elongated, while the third one (which bears the arista) has an almost normal Cyclorrhapha conformation.
Not even the "elbow" between 1rst and 2nd segment is lacking, to mimic that of wasps between scapus and flagellum.

… Richard Vernier, 17 April, 2008 - 8:12am

Very!

clicked on this image thinking that I could ID a yellowjacket species.... very good mimic!

… Vespula Vulgaris, 16 April, 2008 - 7:37pm