Laphria milvina
Bromley, 1929
A of robber fly in the Laphria, notable for its mimicry. Members of this genus are recognized for their effective resemblance to bumble bees, a form of that may provide protection from . The species was described by Bromley in 1929. Like other Laphria species, it is presumed to be an active aerial predator of other insects.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Laphria milvina: /ˈlæf.ri.ə mɪlˈviː.nə/
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Identification
Laphria are distinguished from other robber flies by their robust, -like appearance with dense . Laphria milvina specifically can be separated from by subtle differences in coloration and setal patterns, though precise diagnostic features require examination of type material. The Laphria differs from the superficially similar -mimicking genus Mallophora by having thicker with a clubbed terminal segment, whereas Mallophora has thin, thread-like terminal antennal segments.
Distribution
The has been documented in North America. Specific locality records are sparse, with only one observation recorded in iNaturalist as of the source date.
Behavior
As with other Laphria , individuals are presumed to be that perch on vegetation to ambush flying prey. The -like appearance may reduce risk while hunting.
Similar Taxa
- MallophoraBoth are effective mimics with similar overall appearance, but Mallophora has thin terminal antennal segments compared to the thick, clubbed of Laphria.
- BombusThe -mimicry of Laphria can cause confusion with actual bumble bees; however, Laphria has only two wings (one pair), large that meet dorsally in males, and lacks the elbowed and corbiculae () of bees.
More Details
Taxonomic note
Laphria is a large and taxonomically challenging within the robber fly Asilidae. -level identification often requires examination of genitalic characters and comparison with . The genus is part of the Laphriinae.
Mimicry context
The mimicry exhibited by Laphria is considered a classic example of , where a harmless species evolves to resemble a harmful or unpalatable model (stinging bumble bees) to deter .