Spilomyia texana

Johnson, 1921

Texas Hornet Fly

Spilomyia texana is a hover fly ( Syrphidae) first described from Texas in 1921 by Johnson. The is currently treated as a synonym of Spilomyia alcimus (Walker, 1849), the Broad-banded Hornet Fly, by major taxonomic databases including GBIF and Catalogue of Life. Like other members of the Spilomyia, it is a mimic with yellow and black coloration. The genus contains approximately 13 species in North America, all known for their convincing mimicry of yellowjackets in both appearance and .

Spilomyia texana (49857514911) by Christina Butler from Georgia, United States. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Spilomyia texana 197470538 by blake hendon. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Spilomyia texana: //ˌspaɪloʊˈmaɪə tɛkˈsɑːnə//

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Identification

Members of the Spilomyia are distinguished from true yellowjackets (Vespidae) by several features: flies possess only one pair of wings ( have two), short with a hair-like (versus long, thick wasp antennae), and very large that meet at or near the top of the . Some Spilomyia , including S. texana, wave their front legs in front of the to simulate longer antennae. The wing pattern differs from wasps: while yellowjackets fold their wings longitudinally at rest, appearing thin and dark, Spilomyia has the front half of each wing darkened to mimic this fold. Body length ranges 12–17 mm, matching yellowjacket size.

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Distribution

The type locality is Texas. Distribution records from GBIF include Vermont, USA. The is part of the widespread North American Spilomyia, which occurs across much of the continent.

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