Bee Flies - Ligyra cerberus

Moved

This appears to be L. cerberus. This species is currently only recorded from islands in the Carribean (including the Bahamas). It's possible this species has been collected before in Florida and the records are simply unpublished, but if not this could be a recent arrival from the islands.

Moved from Ligyra.

… Joel Kits, 28 May, 2009 - 6:19pm

Very cool. that would be gre

Very cool. that would be great if this is one of the first photos of the species in the US.

… Tom Bentley, 29 May, 2009 - 9:30am

Moved

Moved from Bee Flies.

… Tom Bentley, 15 May, 2008 - 10:59pm

Ligyra sp.

… Andy Calderwood, 15 May, 2008 - 10:33pm

According to Nearctica.com th

According to Nearctica.com there are only two species. Now I realize that this could be a tropical species. Any thoughts?

Ligyra Newman 1841

Ligyra gazophylax Loew 1869 (Exoprosopa)
Ligyra pilatei Macquart 1846 (Exoprosopa)

http://www.nearctica.com/nomina/diptera/dipb-c.htm

… Tom Bentley, 19 May, 2008 - 7:07am

Awesome photo!

And a very interesting species!
As it is neither Ligyra gazophylax nor Ligyra pilatei.
Ligyra gazophylax has been recorded from California, Arizona, and mainland Central America.
Ligyra pilatei has only been recorded from Arizona and Mexico.

It is likely a first record of another Ligyra species from Central America.
A prime candidate is Ligyra cerberus, as it has been recorded in the Bahamas.

Are we sure it is not a specimen from another genus, like Exoprosopa ignifera?

… Emile, 1 September, 2008 - 11:31am

Interesting Emile...curious i

Interesting Emile...curious if anyone else is familiar with this genus?

… Tom Bentley, 2 September, 2008 - 10:52am

Which Fly

I am not very familiar with Ligyra. I do not know L. pilatei. I have seen flies in Mexico similar to this one. It could be a species placed as neotropical in the lists or it could be novel.
P. S. -Stunning shot!

… Andy Calderwood, 20 May, 2008 - 11:11am

Thanks Andy.

… Tom Bentley, 15 May, 2008 - 10:58pm