Criorhina nigripes
(Williston, 1882)
Williston's Bumble Fly
Criorhina nigripes is a of hoverfly in the Syrphidae, commonly known as Williston's Bumble Fly. First described by Samuel Wendell Williston in 1882 from California specimens, it is a member of the bumble fly Criorhina, which exhibits of bumble bees (Bombus). The species is known from western North America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Criorhina nigripes: //kraɪ.əˈraɪnə ˈnɪɡrɪˌpiːz//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from other Criorhina by the combination of entirely black legs (nigripes = "black-footed"), yellow lateral pile on abdominal segments 2–5, and the specific pattern of thoracic pile with fulvous front and yellow angles. The -mimicking body form and single wing pair (with ) separate it from actual Bombus species.
Images
Appearance
Female: with yellowish pollen on sides, with shining black stripe and black cheeks; black with fulvous pile across front and lighter yellow, bushier pile on angles; short, broad and arched, black and shining, with dense yellow pile on lateral portions of segments 2–5; legs entirely black; wings hyaline, slightly shaded near tip.
Distribution
Canada and the United States; originally described from California.
Similar Taxa
- Criorhina berberinaSimilar bumble fly appearance, but C. nigripes distinguished by entirely black legs versus partly yellow legs in C. berberina
- Bombus speciesMimics bumble bees in general form and coloration; distinguished by single pair of wings (Diptera) versus two pairs (Hymenoptera), presence of , and lack of corbiculae ()