Laphria engelhardti
(Bromley, 1931)
Laphria engelhardti is a of robber fly in the Asilidae. The Laphria is known for effective mimicry, with species exhibiting hairy bodies and thick that distinguish them from similar genera. This species was described by Bromley in 1931.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Laphria engelhardti: /ˈlæf.ri.ə ɛŋˈɡɛl.hɑːr.ti/
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Identification
Members of the Laphria can be distinguished from the similar -mimicking genus Mallophora by their thick (Mallophora has a thin terminal segment on the antennae) and generally less hairy appearance. Laphria are considered among the most realistic bumble bee mimics in North America.
Images
Behavior
Laphria have been observed flying from flower to flower without feeding, exhibiting more direct patterns than actual bumble bees. This contrasts with the slower, more erratic flight of genuine bumble bees and can serve as a field indicator for identifying mimics.
Similar Taxa
- MallophoraBoth are effective mimics, but Mallophora are hairier and have thin terminal segments on the , whereas Laphria has thick antennae.