Bombyliidae
Guides
Bryodemina
Bryodemina is a genus of bee flies (Diptera: Bombyliidae) in the subfamily Lomatiinae, established by Hull in 1973. The genus occurs in the Neotropical region and was recently revised with two new species described from Brazil and Venezuela. A taxonomic revision synonymized the genus Brachydemia with Bryodemina. Species in this genus are distinguished by morphological features of the adult external anatomy and terminalia.
Bryodemina valida
Bryodemina valida is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Wiedemann in 1830. It belongs to the subfamily Lomatiinae and tribe Lomatiini. The species has been documented through 51 observations on iNaturalist, indicating some level of contemporary detection, though detailed biological information remains limited in publicly available sources.
Chrysanthrax cypris
Chrysanthrax cypris is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. It occurs in the eastern United States from Massachusetts and Iowa south to Mexico. The species is a parasitoid of tiphiid wasps. Adults are active pollinators that visit flowers for nectar.
Chrysanthrax dispar
Chrysanthrax dispar is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. It occurs across eastern North America from Ontario, Canada, through the eastern United States west to Nebraska, and south to Mexico. The species is part of a diverse genus of bee flies, with adults typically observed visiting flowers.
Chrysanthrax juncturus
Chrysanthrax juncturus is a bee fly species in the family Bombyliidae, distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico. As a member of this diverse fly family, it likely shares the characteristic bee-mimicking appearance and parasitic larval lifestyle typical of many bombyliids, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented.
Conophorini
bee flies
Conophorini is a tribe of bee flies within the family Bombyliidae, established by Becker in 1913. The tribe comprises at least 30 described species distributed across four genera: Aldrichia, Conophorina, Conophorus, and Sparnopolius. Members of this tribe are parasitoid flies whose larvae develop in the nests of solitary bees and wasps. Conophorini species are found primarily in the Nearctic and Palearctic regions.
Conophorus
bee flies
Conophorus is a genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) containing at least 67 described species worldwide, with 16 species recorded from the United States. These dipterans are parasitoids, with larvae developing in the nests of other insects. The genus is taxonomically established under Meigen, 1803, and is classified within the tribe Conophorini.
Conophorus collini
Conophorus collini is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, described by Priddy in 1958. The species belongs to the genus Conophorus, which is classified within the tribe Conophorini. As with other bee flies, it is a member of the order Diptera, characterized by having a single pair of functional wings. The species is recognized as valid and accepted in taxonomic databases.
Conophorus fallax
Conophorus fallax is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. It is distributed across western North America, from the Yukon and Saskatchewan in Canada southward through the United States to New Mexico and California. Like other members of the genus Conophorus, this species likely exhibits the characteristic bee fly morphology with a humpbacked thorax and elongated proboscis.
Conophorus melanoceratus
Conophorus melanoceratus is a species of bee fly described by Bigot in 1892. It belongs to the genus Conophorus within the subfamily Bombyliinae. The species is rarely documented, with only three observations recorded on iNaturalist. Like other bee flies, it is presumed to have a parasitoid life cycle, though specific host associations remain unconfirmed.
Desmatoneura
Desmatoneura is a genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) established by Williston in 1895. The genus comprises approximately 18 described species classified within the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Xeramoebini. Species in this genus are part of the diverse bee fly fauna, a group known for parasitoid larval development in other insects.
Desmatoneura argentifrons
Desmatoneura argentifrons is a species of bee fly (family Bombyliidae) in the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Xeramoebini. It was described by Williston in 1895. The species is known from the western United States, particularly the Great Basin region. Like other bee flies, adults are nectar feeders and larvae are presumed to be parasitoids.
Dicranoclista
Dicranoclista is a genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) comprising four described species distributed disjunctly across North America and Africa. The genus was established by Bezzi in 1924 and belongs to the subfamily Anthracinae. Species occur in diverse habitats from the western United States and Canada to West Africa and Sudan.
Dicranoclista fasciata
Dicranoclista fasciata is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Johnson & Johnson in 1960. It belongs to the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Anthracini. The species is documented from the western United States and adjacent Canada, with records spanning from Arizona northward to Washington and British Columbia. As with other bee flies, adults likely function as pollinators and larvae are presumed parasitoids, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Diochanthrax
Diochanthrax is a monotypic genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) containing a single described species, D. morulus, which is endemic to California. The genus was established by Hall in 1975 and belongs to the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Villini. As a bee fly, it likely exhibits the parasitoid life history typical of many Bombyliidae, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Dipalta
Dipalta is a North American genus of bee flies (Bombyliidae) comprising two described species. These medium-sized flies are characterized by conical faces and distinctive wing venation. Adults are pollinators of low-growing desert flowers, while larvae are parasitoids of ant lions (Myrmeleontidae). The genus is closely related to Villa within the tribe Villini.
Dipalta serpentina
Dipalta serpentina is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Osten Sacken in 1877. It is widespread across North America, ranging from British Columbia through most of the United States to Florida, and extending south through Mexico to Central America including Cuba, Guatemala, and Honduras. The species is a known parasitoid of antlions, specifically targeting species such as Myrmeleon immaculatus.
Dolichomyia
Dolichomyia is a genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) comprising seven described species. The genus was established by Wiedemann in 1830 and is classified within the subfamily Toxophorinae and tribe Systropodini. Species occur in the Americas, with records from North and South America. The genus name refers to the elongated body form characteristic of these flies.
Ecliminae
Ecliminae is a subfamily of Bombyliidae (bee flies) containing genera distributed across the New World and Australasian/Oceanian regions. The genus Lepidophora is restricted to the New World with eight species, while Marmasoma is endemic to Australia. At least some species exhibit parasitic life histories, with immature stages developing in hymenopteran hosts.
Epacmus
Epacmus is a genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) characterized by a distinctive case of predator mimicry. Adults possess four prominent, black, polished, hemispherical bumps on the rear of the thorax that strikingly resemble the anterior median eyes of jumping spiders (Salticidae). When viewed from behind, these structures create the illusion of a small salticid spider, potentially deterring predation. The genus is small-bodied, measuring approximately 7–10 mm in length, with a tapered, fuzzy appearance and delicate wings. Taxonomic validity remains debated, with some authorities considering Epacmus a synonym of Aphoebantus.
Eucessia rubens
Eucessia rubens is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Coquillett in 1886. It belongs to the tribe Aphoebantini within the subfamily Anthracinae. The genus Eucessia is closely related to Aphoebantus, and some authorities consider Eucessia to be a subset of that genus rather than a valid separate genus. Very little is documented about this species specifically, with only 3 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Euryphthiria
Euryphthiria is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae, subfamily Phthiriinae, and tribe Poecilognathini. The genus was erected by Evenhuis in 1986. As a member of Phthiriinae, it belongs to a group of bee flies characterized by reduced wing venation and generally small to medium body size. The genus is poorly documented in public sources, with minimal observational records available.
Euryphthiria grandis
Euryphthiria grandis is a species of bee fly (family Bombyliidae) described by Evenhuis in 1986. It belongs to the subfamily Phthiriinae and tribe Poecilognathini. The genus Euryphthiria is part of a diverse group of parasitoid flies whose larvae develop in the nests of solitary bees and wasps. Very little is documented about this particular species beyond its taxonomic description.
Exepacmus johnsoni
Exepacmus johnsoni is a species of bee fly (family Bombyliidae) described by Coquillett in 1894. It belongs to the tribe Aphoebantini within the subfamily Anthracinae. The genus Exepacmus is part of a diverse group of bombyliid flies characterized by their parasitoid life history, with larvae typically developing in the nests of solitary bees or wasps. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, with only 7 documented occurrences in iNaturalist as of the available data.
Exoprosopa agassizii
Exoprosopa agassizii is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Friedrich Hermann Loew in 1869. The species belongs to the genus Exoprosopa, a diverse group of bee flies characterized by their robust bodies and often striking patterns. As with other members of the family, E. agassizii likely exhibits the typical bee fly morphology including a stout, furry body and a long proboscis adapted for nectar feeding. The species name honors the naturalist Louis Agassiz.
Exoprosopa albifrons
Exoprosopa albifrons is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Curran in 1930. It belongs to the genus Exoprosopa, a diverse group of bee flies within the subfamily Anthracinae. The species epithet "albifrons" (white forehead) likely refers to a distinctive pale marking on the front of the head. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only four records currently available on iNaturalist.
Exoprosopa anomala
Exoprosopa anomala is a species of bee fly described by Painter in 1934. It belongs to the family Bombyliidae, a diverse group of true flies known for their bee-like appearance and parasitic larval biology. The species is placed in the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Exoprosopini. Like other bee flies, adults likely feed on nectar and pollen, while larvae are presumed to be parasitoids of other insects, though specific host records for this species remain undocumented.
Exoprosopa argentifasciata
Exoprosopa argentifasciata is a species of bee fly described by Macquart in 1846. As a member of the family Bombyliidae, it belongs to a diverse group of flies known for their bee-like appearance and parasitoid larval biology. The species is placed in the tribe Exoprosopini within the subfamily Anthracinae. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Exoprosopa bifurca
Exoprosopa bifurca is a species of bee fly (family Bombyliidae) described by Loew in 1869. It belongs to the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Exoprosopini. Bee flies in this genus are generally known as parasitoids, though specific host associations for this species remain undocumented in the provided sources.
Exoprosopa dodrina
Exoprosopa dodrina is a species of bee fly described by Curran in 1930. It belongs to the large genus Exoprosopa within the family Bombyliidae, a group of flies known for their bee-like appearance and parasitoid larval biology. The species is part of the tribe Exoprosopini and subfamily Anthracinae. As with most bee flies, adults are likely nectar feeders, while larvae develop as parasitoids of other insects.
Exoprosopa fasciata
Exoprosopa fasciata is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Macquart in 1840. As a member of the genus Exoprosopa, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies whose larvae parasitize other insects, primarily bees and wasps. The species is part of the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Exoprosopini.
Exoprosopa painterorum
Exoprosopa painterorum is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, described by Johnson & Johnson in 1960. It belongs to the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Exoprosopini. The species is named in honor of the Painter family, likely referring to entomologists associated with this group. Very few observations of this species have been documented.
Exoprosopa parda
Exoprosopa parda is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Osten Sacken in 1886. Bee flies in this genus are parasitoids, with larvae typically developing in the nests of solitary bees or wasps. The species is poorly documented in published literature, with only 19 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Geminaria pellucida
Geminaria pellucida is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, subfamily Lordotinae. Described by Coquillett in 1894, this species belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive morphological features typical of the bee fly lineage. Bee flies are known for their parasitoid larval development, though specific host relationships for this species remain undocumented.
Geron
Geron is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae, established by Meigen in 1820. These small to minute flies are characterized by their slender bodies, reduced wing venation, and often distinctive facial markings. Members of this genus are parasitoids, with larvae developing in the egg sacs of spiders. The genus is placed in the subfamily Toxophorinae and tribe Gerontini. Geron species are found across multiple continents including North America and Europe.
Hemipenthes
Hemipenthes is a large genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) comprising numerous described species distributed across the Holarctic and Palearctic regions. Adults are small to large robust flies measuring 5–14 mm in body length. The genus is distinguished from similar bee fly genera by characteristic wing venation patterns. A significant taxonomic revision occurred in 2020, when several species were transferred to the new genus Ins.
Hemipenthes blanchardiana
A species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. Larvae of the genus Hemipenthes are hyper-parasites, developing as parasites of ichneumon wasps, tachinid flies, and other insects that are themselves parasites of caterpillars. This makes them secondary consumers in parasitoid food webs. Adults visit flowers for nectar. The species has been documented in Arizona and other parts of North America.
Hemipenthes celeris
Hemipenthes celeris is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. It was first described by Wiedemann in 1828. A 2009 taxonomic review synonymized three previously recognized species names under H. celeris, establishing it as the valid name for this taxon in North America. Like other members of the genus Hemipenthes, its larvae are hyper-parasites of other parasitic insects.
Hemipenthes curta
Bee Fly
Hemipenthes curta is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. Like other members of the genus Hemipenthes, its larvae are hyper-parasites—parasites of other parasitic insects. The species occurs in North America and is active during spring and summer months. Adult bee flies in this genus are typically observed visiting flowers for nectar.
Hemipenthes edwardsii
Edwards's bee fly
Hemipenthes edwardsii is a bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, found in western North America. Its larvae are hyper-parasites, developing as parasites of ichneumon wasp and tachinid fly larvae that themselves parasitize caterpillars of butterflies and moths. The species was described by Coquillett in 1894 and is one of approximately 800 bee fly species in North America.
Hemipenthes inops
Hemipenthes inops is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, found in the western United States. It is distinguished from other members of its genus by its mostly transparent wings, whereas congeners typically have patterned or darkened wings. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are known to be hyper-parasitoids, developing as parasites of other parasitic insects.
Hemipenthes jaennickeana
Hemipenthes jaennickeana is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, characterized by its hyper-parasitic larval lifestyle. Like other members of the genus Hemipenthes, its larvae develop as parasites of other parasitic insects, specifically targeting ichneumon wasp and tachinid fly larvae that themselves parasitize caterpillars. The species was described by Osten Sacken in 1886 and is part of a diverse family of true flies that often mimic bees in appearance.
Hemipenthes lepidota
Hemipenthes lepidota is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. As a member of the genus Hemipenthes, its larvae are hyper-parasites that parasitize the larvae of other parasitic insects, including ichneumon wasps and tachinid flies, which themselves are parasites of butterfly and moth caterpillars. Adults are likely flower visitors, feeding on nectar with their elongated proboscis. The species was described by Osten Sacken in 1887 and belongs to the subfamily Anthracinae.
Hemipenthes scylla
Hemipenthes scylla is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. The genus Hemipenthes is notable for its unusual larval ecology: larvae are hyper-parasites that parasitize the larvae of other parasitic insects, including ichneumon wasps and tachinid flies, which themselves attack caterpillars of butterflies and moths. The species has been documented in Mexico, Texas, and Arizona.
Hemipenthes seminigra
Hemipenthes seminigra is a North American bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, measuring 8–12 mm in length. The species was described by Loew in 1869, with H. eumenes (Osten Sacken, 1886) synonymized in a 2009 taxonomic revision. Larvae of the genus Hemipenthes are hyper-parasites, parasitizing the larvae of ichneumon wasps, tachinid flies, and other parasitoids that themselves attack caterpillars of butterflies and moths.
Heterostylum
bee-flies
Heterostylum is a genus of bee-flies (Bombyliidae) comprising 14 described species distributed throughout the Americas. These robust, densely hairy flies measure 10–15 mm in body length. The genus is distinguished by diagnostic morphological features including an indentation in the hind margin of the eye and distinctive wing venation patterns. Larvae are parasitoids that develop within the nests of mining bees.
Lepidanthrax
Lepidanthrax is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae, containing at least 50 described species. The genus is primarily distributed across North and Central America, with isolated records from the Galapagos Islands and Australia. As members of the subfamily Anthracinae, these flies are part of a diverse group of parasitoid insects. The genus was established by Osten Sacken in 1886.
Lepidanthrax angulus
Lepidanthrax angulus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. It was described by Osten Sacken in 1886. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. As with other bee flies, adults are likely nectar feeders, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Lepidanthrax californicus
Lepidanthrax californicus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Hall in 1976. It is endemic to the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico, with confirmed records from California, Arizona, and Baja California Norte. Bee flies in this family are typically characterized by their robust, hairy bodies and long proboscises adapted for nectar feeding. The species belongs to the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Villini, a group whose members often exhibit striking coloration and patterns.
Lepidanthrax disjunctus
Lepidanthrax disjunctus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. The species is documented from Mexico and the U.S. state of Arizona. Bee flies in this family are typically characterized by their resemblance to bees and their parasitic or predatory larval life histories, though specific biological details for this species remain limited.