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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » Orthorrhapha » Asiloidea » Bee Flies (Bombyliidae) » Anthracinae » Villini » Lepidanthrax » Lepidanthrax eremicus
Photo#326385
Lepidanthrax - Lepidanthrax eremicus - male
Copyright © 2009 Hartmut Wisch

Lepidanthrax - Lepidanthrax eremicus - Male
Red Rock Canyon State Park, Kern County, California, USA
June 11, 2009
Size: ≤5mm
One of several Lepidanthrax seen in this area.
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Contributed by Hartmut Wisch on 29 August, 2009 - 9:25am
Last updated 31 January, 2010 - 2:57pm

Moved
Moved from Lepidanthrax.
… Hartmut Wisch, 31 January, 2010 - 2:57pm login or register to post comments

ID
Hartmut,
Owing to the fine quality of this shot, I think we can place it to L. eremicus, a common and striking species of the So CA deserts. Though primarily of the Colorado Desert, there are records from Red Rock Cyn. Great shot! I have taken many pics of this genus, but relatively few good ones. It seems the flashy scales thwart the autofocus.
… Andy Calderwood, 31 January, 2010 - 2:16pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks, Andy -
I had a question mark in my files because I couldn't decide, just based on this photo, whether this is hyalinipennis or eremicus.
I guess the medial separation of the silver scales on the third segment dorsally must be more pronounced in hyalinipennis.
… Hartmut Wisch, 31 January, 2010 - 2:56pm login or register to post comments

 
ID
You're right. The scales do seem to meet medially. I think that's enough. I also was swayed by the fact that this just looks like L. eremicus which I've seen so many times (esp. Baja) and by the fact that Hall collected them in Red Rock.
… Andy Calderwood, 31 January, 2010 - 8:19pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks again, Andy!
Sure is a beautiful little creature.
… Hartmut Wisch, 1 February, 2010 - 12:04am login or register to post comments

Is this the one that looks like a silver flash, when aloft?
Once again, nice flies, Hartmut.
… Ron Hemberger, 29 August, 2009 - 2:11pm login or register to post comments

 
Yes, especially in a desert wash,
very difficult to follow except when taking off or landing.
… Hartmut Wisch, 29 August, 2009 - 2:20pm login or register to post comments

 
Interesting re: desert wash
I believe I've seen these twice at Irvine Park, twice at Nix, and in dry creekbeds each time. Will keep looking/hoping.
… Ron Hemberger, 29 August, 2009 - 4:31pm login or register to post comments

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