Apiary-pest
Guides
Aphomia terrenella
Terrenella Bee Moth
Aphomia terrenella, commonly known as the terrenella bee moth, is a small moth in the family Pyralidae. It occurs in eastern North America from the Great Lakes region south to Georgia. The species is associated with bee nests, where its larvae have been observed feeding on honeycomb and possibly bee larvae. Adults are active during late spring and summer.
Mallophora bomboides
Florida Bee-Killer, Florida bee killer
Mallophora bomboides is a predatory robber fly (family Asilidae) native to the southeastern United States. It is notable for its specialized predation on bumblebees and its remarkable Batesian mimicry of its prey, particularly Bombus pensylvanicus. The species has been extensively studied as a classic example of mimicry, with experimental work demonstrating that predators learn to avoid the unpalatable bumblebee model and consequently avoid the palatable fly mimic. Adults are active from spring through late fall, with peak abundance in late summer.
Saropogon dispar
Saropogon dispar is a robber fly species in the family Asilidae, first described by Coquillett in 1902. It has been documented in Oklahoma and Texas, with observations at Natches Pond, Fort Sill, and Jefferson County. The species is notable for its association with apiaries in Texas, where it has been reported as a significant pest of bees.