Anthrax irroratus

Say, 1823

Spotted Bee Fly

Anthrax irroratus is a bee fly ( Bombyliidae) widespread across North America, ranging from Alaska and northern Canada to Central America and the Caribbean. are that frequent flowers, while larvae are of solitary bees and in at least five families. The is one of numerous bee flies that exploit ground-nesting Hymenoptera as .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anthrax irroratus: /ˈæn.θræks ɪˈrɔːr.ə.təs/

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Identification

can be distinguished from other Anthrax by wing pattern and body markings; specific diagnostic characters for A. irroratus require examination of wing venation and abdominal patterning. Larvae are legless, maggot-like, and attach externally to larvae.

Habitat

Found in diverse open including meadows, prairies, and areas with abundant flowering plants where bees and nest in the ground.

Distribution

North America from Alaska and Northwest Territories south through Canada and the United States to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Puerto Rico.

Diet

feed on nectar from flowers; larvae are that consume larvae and provisions of solitary bees and .

Host Associations

  • Solitary bees and wasps - larval span at least five of Hymenoptera

Life Cycle

Females deposit near or in burrows; larvae hatch and enter nests, attach externally to host larvae, and feed as ectoparasitoids, eventually killing the host.

Behavior

are agile, rapid fliers that hover at flowers; females follow bees and back to their nests to locate oviposition sites.

Ecological Role

contribute to pollination; larvae regulate of solitary bees and as .

Human Relevance

Occasionally noted as a of beneficial ; are harmless to humans and contribute to flower pollination.

Similar Taxa

  • Anthrax georgicusAlso parasitizes ground-nesting insects including tiger beetles, but differs in range and distribution
  • Other Anthrax speciesMany share similar and lifestyle; -level identification requires detailed examination

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