Mydas floridensis

Mydas floridensis can be distinguished from other mydas flies by geographic distribution and specific morphological characters established in the original description. The family Mydidae is distinguished from the related robber fly family Asilidae by the elongate, clubbed antennae (robber flies have short antennae). Mydas flies are also distinguished from actual spider wasps by having only one pair of functional wings, with the hindwings reduced to small knob-like halteres.

Large-bodied fly with elongated clubbed antennae characteristic of the family Mydidae. Coloration typically involves black body with orange or red markings on the abdomen, similar to other Mydas species that mimic spider wasps. The large size and distinctive color pattern distinguish mydas flies from most other Diptera.

Florida, based on the specific epithet and type locality implied by the species name.

• Mydas clavatusAnother large eastern North American mydas fly with similar black and orange coloration and spider wasp mimicry. M. clavatus is common across the eastern U.S. and may overlap in range with M. floridensis in Florida.
• Stizoides renicinctusA kleptoparasitic wasp with similar black body and orange/red abdominal banding that is frequently mistaken for mydas flies by observers.
• Anoplius spp.Spider wasps (family Pompilidae) that serve as the model for mydas fly Batesian mimicry; similar size, coloration, and flight behavior but distinguished by having two pairs of wings and wasp-like waist.

• Diptera
• Mydidae
• mydas fly
• spider wasp mimic
• Florida endemic

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Ospriocerus abdominalis | Beetles In The Bush
• robber flies | Beetles In The Bush | Page 3
• Bug Eric: Wasp Wednesday: Stizoides renicinctus
• Mydidae | Beetles In The Bush
• cybertaxonomy | Blog