Tiger Bee Fly

Xenox tigrinus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Superfamily: Asiloidea
Family: Bombyliidae
Subfamily: Anthracinae
Tribe: Anthracini
Genus: Xenox
Species: tigrinus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Xenox tigrinus: //ˈziːnɒks tɪˈɡraɪnəs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Xenox tigrinus P1190246a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Xenox tigrinus 405099811 by Matthew Lindsey. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Xenox tigrinus (Bombyliidae) - (imago), Niagara (NY), United States by

This image is created by user B. Schoenmakers at Observation.org, a global biodiversity recording project.
. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Xenox tigrinus P1140197a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Xenox tigrinus (Bombyliidae) - (imago), Jefferson (NY), United States by

This image is created by user B. Schoenmakers at Observation.org, a global biodiversity recording project.
. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Xenox tigrinus 402795226 by Matthew Lindsey. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Xenox tigrinus, commonly known as the Tiger Bee Fly, is an insect in the family Bombyliidae found in the eastern United States and southern Ontario. It is characterized by its distinctive wing pattern and parasitic life cycle involving carpenter bees.

Physical Characteristics

Adults range from 11–19 millimetres (0.43–0.75 in) in length. They have a black body with two white spots on the abdomen and transparent wings with a distinctive black pattern.

Identification Tips

The tiger bee fly may be mistaken for a large bee due to its coloration and size. Look for the distinctive wing pattern that may resemble tiger stripes.

Habitat

Commonly found near wooden fences and structures where carpenter bees make their nests.

Distribution

Eastern United States and southern Ontario. Found from Maine to Florida and as far west as Iowa, Kansas, and Texas.

Diet

Adult food unknown, but adults have been observed on damp mud lapping up fluids. Larvae are parasitoids of carpenter bees (Xylocopa).

Life Cycle

Female tiger bee flies deposit fertilized eggs in carpenter bee nests, laying them near the nest entrance. Larvae consume the carpenter bee larvae, and may also wait for the bees to enter the pupal state before consuming them.

Reproduction

Female tiger bee flies lay eggs near the entrances of carpenter bee nests.

Ecosystem Role

Considered a pollinator and the most common parasite of the eastern carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica.

Health Concerns

The tiger bee fly does not bite or sting humans.

Similar Taxa

Anthrax tigrinus

Misconceptions

Due to their appearance, they can be mistaken for bees, but they do not have the same behaviors and do not pose a threat to humans.