Chrysanthrax cypris

The distinct black patches on the wings are the primary diagnostic feature separating Chrysanthrax cypris from similar bee flies. The single pair of wings distinguishes it from true bees, which have two pairs. The long proboscis and frenetic flight behavior are additional characteristics typical of the genus.

A bee fly with a hairy, bee-like body. The wings have distinct patches of black that serve as a key identifying feature. Like other bee flies, it possesses only one pair of wings (characteristic of Diptera) and a remarkably long proboscis adapted for reaching deep into flowers.

Meadows and open areas with abundant flowering plants. Often found in habitats supporting ground-nesting insects.

Eastern United States from Massachusetts and Iowa southward to Mexico.

Active in spring, with adults observed during periods when flowers are in bloom and ground-nesting host insects are active.

Adults feed on nectar from flowers. Larvae are parasitoids that develop by feeding on host insects.

• Tiphiidae - parasitoidLarvae develop as parasitoids of tiphiid wasps.

Females deposit eggs in or near host burrows. Larvae enter host galleries, attach to host larvae, and feed on their tissues and blood until the host is consumed.

Adults exhibit rapid, darting flight patterns while foraging for nectar. They perform pre-flight warm-up by rapidly fluttering their wings on cool mornings.

Adults function as pollinators, transporting pollen on their hairy bodies while feeding on nectar. Larvae act as biological control agents by parasitizing wasp populations.

Provides pollination services in meadows and natural areas. Often mistaken for bees due to appearance, which may cause unnecessary concern.

• Bombylius majorAnother common bee fly with long proboscis, but lacks the distinct black wing patches of C. cypris.
• Anthrax georgicusSimilar bee fly genus, but parasitizes tiger beetle larvae rather than wasps.
• Xenox tigrinusTiger bee fly that parasitizes carpenter bees; differs in host association and wing pattern.

• bee fly
• parasitoid
• pollinator
• Diptera
• Bombyliidae

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Ground nesting bees beware of the bee fly: Bombyliidae — Bug of the Week
• Danger afoot for ground nesting bees: Look out for bee flies, Bombyliidae — Bug of the Week