Robber Fly - Laphria sadales

Robber red legs

This is a fantastic robber fly. And it has to be in the Echthodopini. Which means it is either a remarkable Eudioctria or the Echthodopa I have not seen -- E. formosa. I do not have a description of that fly. Really lovely insect though. I will have someone else take a look.

… Herschel Raney, 18 August, 2005 - 12:07pm

Northern Robbers

When I go to the very northern tip of NH, the bugs up there are usually different. This was in the boreal area of the Connecticut Lakes about 3 miles before the Canada border. It's a nice natural area with more moose than people. Thanks for your help again Herschel.

… tom murray, 18 August, 2005 - 5:12pm

Also

Specimen shot:

http://cedarcreek.umn.edu/insects/newslides/029037060008apo.jpg

Yours may be the only live shot of this insect in existence even though it may not be that uncommon in the north.

… Herschel Raney, 18 August, 2005 - 9:12pm

Robber

Mike Thomas, who lives in the NE, says that this amazing robber is Laphria sadales. Easily the most striking Laphria I have ever seen. I kept trying to make those antennae into Echthodopa antennae. Didn't work. That golden hair on the abdomen wanted me to go with Laphria but I could not buy those legs on a Laphria species. This species is found in the NW and in the NE in PA, NY, CT and the New England states.

… Herschel Raney, 18 August, 2005 - 8:55pm

Laphria sadales

I think I've seen this species before, but this is the first time I was able to photograph it. Thanks for going the extra mile to get the ID on this one.

… tom murray, 18 August, 2005 - 9:32pm