Orange needle nose fly - Bombylius mexicanus

Wow!!!

I was at an Action Pistol match today and not sure why but I happened to glance down and this was buzzing at my boot. First time I've ever seen one here in Montana so kinda glad to find out what it is.

… Pete, 16 July, 2011 - 8:00pm

female

Appears to be a female, based on dichoptic eyes--compare other images for this species--the difference in eye structure is pretty clear.

… Cotinis, 3 June, 2010 - 8:06pm

Moved

Moved from Bombylius. Moved based on ID from Dr. Deyrup at Archbold.

… Tim Lethbridge, 29 September, 2009 - 8:31pm

Good going on the ID!

Your post is a first for your state. Together, BG data indicate a longer time aloft for this species by two months, i.e. March-June vs. April-May as stated on the Info page.

… Ron Hemberger, 29 September, 2009 - 9:44pm

I'm curious about the name....

...and the distribution. Was this first found in Mexico?....but now found in Canada? ...or are subspecies involved?

Just want to say again....GREAT photo.

… Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, 29 September, 2009 - 9:52pm

Thank you both

Ron and W.O. I can pass on what Dr. Deyrup emailed me about this species, as to how it acquired its name, I have no idea.

"The bee fly on Calamintha ashei is Bombylius mexicanus Wiedemann, which, in spite of its name, is an eastern species found from New York west into Minnesota and south into Florida. This is an early spring species, appearing in Florida at the end of February and disappearing in April."

Thanks again,
Tim

… Tim Lethbridge, 29 September, 2009 - 10:00pm

Interesting

The Info page should be amended to show the fly's appearance from February (per Dr. Deyrup) to June (per Bug Guide posts). Can you do this, Nancy?

… Ron Hemberger, 29 September, 2009 - 11:42pm

Info page says distribution is southeastern U.S.

All I know on this one is what I read there. I do know the Western Conifer Bug is found all over the place and that it took a long time to get a post of the California Sister Butterfly from its namesake state. In short, don't put a lot of stock in geographic monikers.

… Ron Hemberger, 29 September, 2009 - 9:59pm

GREAT photo !

Are those its legs pointed upward?

… Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, 6 April, 2009 - 7:51pm

Nice shot. Wedge shape aloft is typical of some bee flies.

I'm pretty sure genus is Bombylius.

… Ron Hemberger, 6 April, 2009 - 7:59pm

Thank you

both. I was happy with this one too but he was such a cooperative hoverer he really made it easy. I will leave it here for a few days to see if anyone can ID to species and, if not, I will move it to Bombylius. Oh, and the legs seemed to be mostly swept back but also angled up a little bit.

Thanks,
Tim

… Tim Lethbridge, 7 April, 2009 - 4:55pm