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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » "Aschiza" » Hover Flies (Syrphidae) » Eristalinae » Milesiini » Milesiina » Spilomyia » Bald-faced Hornet Fly (Spilomyia fusca)
Photo#434448
Fly in Hornet Disguise - Spilomyia fusca - female
Copyright © 2010 Marcia A. Sessions

Fly in Hornet Disguise - Spilomyia fusca - Female
Greenville, Providence County, Rhode Island, USA
July 28, 2010
Size: ~5/8"
This is one of the best insects mimics I've seen! Even when taking the photos of it I thought I was being foolish to get so close to what appeared to be a Bald-faced Hornet.
Only when I saw the images on the computer did I seen the giveaway Fly antennae between its eyes. What kind of Fly is this?

Images of this individual: tag all
Fly in Hornet Disguise - Spilomyia fusca - female Fly in Hornet Disguise - Spilomyia fusca - female Fly in Hornet Disguise - Spilomyia fusca - female Fly in Hornet Disguise - Spilomyia fusca - female
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Contributed by Marcia A. Sessions on 29 July, 2010 - 9:37pm
Last updated 31 August, 2018 - 7:09pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Martin Hauser, 30 July, 2010 - 11:19am login or register to post comments

 
Moved
Thank you for the ID! I've now gone to its section in the Guide: a lot of people have been fooled into thinking it's a Bald-faced Hornet! Great protection for it out in the "wild". Impressive.
… Marcia A. Sessions, 30 July, 2010 - 12:18pm login or register to post comments

 
They even lift their front le
They even lift their front legs, which are black, to mimic the long black yellow jacket antennae! They are really amazing flies...
… Martin Hauser, 30 July, 2010 - 12:20pm login or register to post comments

How about...
... this one ?
… Carmen Champagne, 30 July, 2010 - 5:05am login or register to post comments

Ha!
I saw one of these yesterday on a Water Parsnip flower. For a time I was too nervous to get closer for a good shot, since I that it was a Bald Faced Hornet. You think you know your insects and you have good eyes, then BAMN! One of these little lovelies tricks you!
… Cassie Novak, 29 July, 2010 - 10:26pm login or register to post comments

 
Fly in Hornet Disguise
Exactly!
… Marcia A. Sessions, 29 July, 2010 - 10:41pm login or register to post comments

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