Hemipenthes curta

Bee Fly

Hemipenthes curta is a of bee fly in the Bombyliidae. Like other members of the Hemipenthes, its larvae are hyper-—parasites of other parasitic insects. The species occurs in North America and is active during spring and summer months. bee flies in this genus are typically observed visiting flowers for nectar.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hemipenthes curta: /ˌhɛmɪˈpɛnθiːz ˈkɜːrtə/

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Habitat

Open areas on sunny days, including sunny spots in wooded areas. are often found near flowers.

Distribution

North America. The Hemipenthes has been documented in Arizona and other regions of the southwestern United States.

Seasonality

Spring through summer. are most commonly observed during spring.

Diet

feed on nectar from flowers using an elongated . Larvae are hyper-parasitic, feeding on the larvae of ichneumon wasps, tachinid flies, and other parasitic insects that themselves parasitize caterpillars of butterflies and moths.

Life Cycle

Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. Larval development occurs within the bodies of insects. Specific details for H. curta are not documented; the is inferred from the .

Behavior

hover near flowers and may exhibit territorial hovering typical of male bee flies. Females deposit in or near . The is and active in sunny conditions.

Ecological Role

Larvae function as hyper-, potentially regulating of other parasitic insects. This complex parasitic relationship places the at a high in involving Lepidoptera and their .

Human Relevance

are harmless to humans and pets. The has no documented economic importance. Larval hyper- may indirectly affect programs by attacking beneficial species.

Similar Taxa

Hemipenthes eumenesSame , similar hyper-parasitic larval , and overlapping geographic range in southwestern North America. H. eumenes has been documented in Arizona.
Bombylius majorBoth are bee flies with hovering , but B. major is larger, has a more robust body, and its larvae parasitize solitary bees rather than functioning as hyper-.
Villa spp.Similar appearance as bee flies, but Villa larvae are parasitic on caterpillars of butterflies and moths (primary ), not hyper-.