Milesia

Giant Flower Flies

Species Guides

3

Milesia is a of very large hoverflies ( Syrphidae) known for their striking resemblance to social . are among the largest flower flies, with body lengths reaching 18–28.5 mm. The genus is notable for of hornets and yellowjackets, including similar coloration and a loud droning buzz. At least three occur in North America: M. virginiensis (eastern North America), M. bella (southwestern U.S.), and M. scutellata (southeastern U.S.).

Milesia bella by (c) Gerardo Ochoa, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Gerardo Ochoa. Used under a CC-BY license.Milesia by (c) Sylvain Montagner, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sylvain Montagner. Used under a CC-BY license.Milesia by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Milesia: /mɪˈleɪziə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other hoverflies by large size (18+ mm) and -mimicking appearance. Separated from actual wasps by: single pair of wings (wasps have two pairs); lack of a narrow petiole or 'wasp waist'; inability to sting; and more erratic pattern. M. virginiensis specifically resembles yellowjackets in size and coloration. Males may guard territories around rotting logs.

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Habitat

Hardwood forest understories; areas with rotting wood resources for larval development. frequently found hovering in sunny spots within forests.

Distribution

North America: M. virginiensis ranges from Kansas to Minnesota and Ontario, south to Texas and Florida; M. bella occurs in the southwestern U.S.; M. scutellata ranges from southeast Oklahoma to North Carolina. European also occur.

Seasonality

active late May to November in southern latitudes; mid-summer to early fall in northern portions of range.

Life Cycle

Larvae develop in wet, rotting heartwood of stumps and logs. emerge and may be found near these resources, with males potentially guarding territories around suitable oviposition sites.

Behavior

hover in midair making erratic shifting movements, often in sunny forest openings. Known for hovering directly in front of humans, a that has generated extensive folklore. Males may defend territories around rotting logs as potential larval resources.

Ecological Role

may visit flowers for nectar, though this is not well documented. Larvae contribute to decomposition of rotting wood. of may reduce .

Human Relevance

Subject of extensive American folklore as the 'News ' or 'Good News Bee' — tradition holds that hovering in front of a person signifies news is coming, and that landing on a person brings good luck. The 'Yellowjacket Hover Fly' reflects its protective mimicry. Harmless to humans; cannot sting.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Frequently mistaken for bees or due to appearance and ; these are true flies (Diptera) and cannot sting. The 'News ' folklore sometimes leads to confusion with actual bee .

More Details

Folklore and Common Names

M. virginiensis is widely known as the 'News ,' 'Good News Bee,' or 'Billy Bee' in American folk tradition. Regional variations include beliefs that yellow individuals bring good news while dark individuals bring bad news, or that the direction of hovering (toward or away from the observer) predicts the nature of forthcoming news. Some traditions suggest speaking to the fly or slowly raising a finger will cause it to land.

Taxonomic Note

The name Milesia is also used for a genus of rust fungi (Pucciniaceae); this record covers the insect genus in Syrphidae. The two genera are unrelated and should not be confused.

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Sources and further reading