Spilomyia longicornis

Loew, 1872

Eastern Hornet Fly

Spilomyia longicornis is a to eastern North America, notable for its striking of . are that frequent flowers for pollen and nectar, while develop in rot holes of living trees. The exhibits sophisticated involving visual, behavioral, and auditory components.

Spilomyia longicornis by (c) Nick Block, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Block. Used under a CC-BY license.

Spilomyia longicornis 162909344 by beewonder. Used under a CC0 license.

Pestřenka Spilomyia longicornis by Adam Nosek. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Spilomyia longicornis: /ˌspaɪloʊˈmaɪə ˌlɒŋɪˈkɔːrnɪs/

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

Identification

Distinguished from similar by the combination of: dark margin contrasting with clearer remainder; forelegs with black portions moved in -like display; and overall larger size compared to many . Separated from actual by single pair of wings (), lack of constricted wasp waist, and typical fly structure with large .

Images

Habitat

occur near flowers producing pollen and nectar. Larval consists of rot holes—damp, rotting cavities in live trees. Almost any tree can develop suitable rot holes, though frequency varies by tree .

Distribution

Eastern North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. Documented in multiple states including Illinois and Vermont.

Diet

feed exclusively on pollen and nectar from flowers. Females require pollen nitrogenous nutrients for ( deposition and reproductive tissue development). Nectar provides energy for hovering . Larval diet unknown but inferred to involve decomposition products in rot holes.

Life Cycle

develop in rot holes of living trees, where they find food and protection in damp decomposing wood. emerge and spend majority of time at flowers for feeding and mating. Females require pollen for reproductive development.

Behavior

Exhibits tripartite of including Vespula vulgaris: (1) Visual—color pattern and dark margins; (2) Behavioral—rests on hind four legs while raising and moving forelegs above in -like motions; when threatened, bends in mock-stinging posture and may pulse abdomen up and down mimicking wasp abdomen expansion; (3) Auditory—produces altered buzzing frequency when threatened, similar to some . Males have been observed mate-seeking near flowers.

Ecological Role

providing services to flowering plants. contribute to in forest ecosystems through processing of decaying wood in tree cavities.

Human Relevance

with no despite -like appearance. Documented in entomological collections including century-old specimens, contributing to understanding of historical ranges and patterns.

Similar Taxa

Vespula vulgaris and other vespid waspsS. longicornis is a Batesian mimic; distinguished by single pair, lack of waist, and
Other Spilomyia speciesShare -level traits but differ in specific leg coloration, pattern, and geographic range
Other syrphid wasp-mimicsDistinguished by combination of dark margin, specific foreleg color pattern, and size

More Details

Mimicry Evolution

The multi-modal (visual, behavioral, auditory) may have evolved because visual and behavioral mimicry alone is not always effective against all .

Collection Significance

Specimens from the Illinois Survey, some dating back a century, contributed to recent understanding of range dynamics and status for this and other hover .