Laphria posticata

Laphria species are distinguished from other bumble bee-mimicking flies by their thick antennae (not thin at the terminal segment, unlike Mallophora). Laphria posticata specifically may be distinguished from congeners by geographic distribution and subtle morphological features, though precise diagnostic characters require specialist examination.

Recorded from Vermont and other parts of the United States; the specific epithet 'posticata' and common name 'Boreal Laphria' suggest association with northern or boreal regions of North America.

Members of the genus Laphria are known to perch on vegetation, spot small flying beetles from these vantage points, capture them in mid-air, and return to a perch to feed. The bumble bee mimicry serves dual purposes: deterring potential predators and allowing closer approach to prey that are attracted to flowers.

Aerial predator of small flying insects, particularly small beetles. As a mimic, it participates in complex ecological interactions involving predator avoidance and prey deception.

• MallophoraAlso contains bumble bee-mimicking robber flies, but distinguished by hairier bodies and thin terminal segments on the antennae (Laphria has thick antennae throughout)
• Syrphidae (flower flies)Many syrphid flies are also bee and wasp mimics, but are distinguished by shorter antennae, different wing venation, and lack of the predatory perching behavior characteristic of Asilidae

• robber fly
• mimicry
• bumble bee mimic
• aerial predator
• boreal

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Bug Eric: Eight Illinois Wasp and Bee Mimics in Twenty Minutes
• North America’s largest robber fly | Beetles In The Bush