Large black fly - Copestylum mexicanum - BugGuide.Net

HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp

Clickable Guide

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Photos of insects and people from the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2024

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29

Previous events

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData

Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » "Aschiza" » Hover Flies (Syrphidae) » Eristalinae » Volucellini » Copestylum » mexicanum-violaceum group (Copestylum mexicanum-violaceum group) » Mexican Cactus Fly (Copestylum mexicanum)

Photo#46802

Copyright © 2006 Carla Finley

Large black fly - Copestylum mexicanum -

Venice, Sarasota County, Florida, USA
April 4, 2006

This is the largest fly I've ever seen. I thought at first it was just another carpenter bee. The yellow part of the flower is 3/8 inch across.

Images of this individual: tag all

Large black fly - Copestylum mexicanum - male

Large black fly - Copestylum mexicanum

Large black fly - Copestylum mexicanum

tag · login or register to post comments

Contributed by Carla Finley on 4 April, 2006 - 2:26pm
Last updated 4 April, 2006 - 7:20pm

Syrphid fly.

This is a syrphid fly, Copestylum mexicana (formerly Volucella mexicana). They are quite common in the southern U.S., but I once caught one in Cincinnati, far to the north of its known range. They breed in decaying cacti.

… Eric R. Eaton, 4 April, 2006 - 3:26pm

login or register to post comments

Male?

Is this a male Eric?
Carla Finley
Venice, FL
http://community.webshots.com/user/CarlaFinley

… Carla Finley, 4 April, 2006 - 4:45pm

login or register to post comments

...

Told you to look out for these things! When you have seen an Ornidia obesa these can't be far behind.
It is a male. The female would have a bigger gap beteen the eyes.
-Sean McCann
By the way, a big Tabanus atratus is a sight to behold as well. They are especially impressive because they will try to bite you, whereas Copestylum is harmless.

triatoma.blogspot.com

… Sean McCann, 4 April, 2006 - 7:17pm

login or register to post comments

Ahhhh

So this is the one you were talking about. I forgot.
Carla Finley
Venice, FL
http://community.webshots.com/user/CarlaFinley

… Carla Finley, 4 April, 2006 - 7:20pm

login or register to post comments

Thank you Eric

I looked at those in the guide and thought they were the closest match.
Carla Finley
Venice, FL
http://community.webshots.com/user/CarlaFinley

… Carla Finley, 4 April, 2006 - 4:40pm

login or register to post comments

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version

Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact