Villa vanduzeei

Cole, 1923

Villa vanduzeei is a of bee fly in the Bombyliidae, first described by Cole in 1923. Bee flies in this are known for their larval , typically attacking the stages of other insects, particularly bees and . The species is part of the diverse Villa genus, which contains numerous species across multiple continents. Like other bombyliids, likely feed on nectar and pollen from flowers.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Villa vanduzeei: /ˈvɪlə vænduːˈziiː/

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Host Associations

Hymenoptera - Larvae of Villa are known of bees and ; specific records for V. vanduzeei are not documented in available sources.

Ecological Role

As a , this contributes to of its hymenopteran . bee flies may also serve as during nectar feeding.

Similar Taxa

Other Villa speciesMembers of Villa share the characteristic -mimicking appearance, single wing R4+5 reaching the wing margin, and . Specific identification requires examination of genitalia and other detailed morphological features.
Other Bombyliidae generaBee flies in related such as Anthrax or Exoprosopa may appear similar, but differ in wing venation patterns, body proportions, and larval associations.

More Details

Taxonomic Note

The specific epithet 'vanduzeei' honors the American entomologist Edward P. Van Duzee (1861–1944), known for his extensive work on Hemiptera and contributions to North American insect .

Collection Records

Specimens of this are held in entomological collections, including the UCR Entomology Research Museum, which has curated holdings of Bembicidae and related .