Bumble-bee-mimicry
Guides
Cuterebra buccata
rabbit bot fly
Cuterebra buccata is a New World bot fly in the family Oestridae, commonly known as the rabbit bot fly. Adults are large, bumble bee-sized flies that lack functional mouthparts and do not feed. The species is host-specific to lagomorphs, particularly cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus). Larvae develop subcutaneously in warbles, feeding on host fluids rather than tissue. Adults are rarely encountered in the field and have short lifespans focused on reproduction.
bot-flymyiasisparasitelagomorphrabbitOestridaeCuterebrinaebumble-bee-mimicrywarblesubcutaneous-parasitehost-specificnon-feeding-adultpupariumCuterebraSylvilaguscottontail-rabbitNew-WorldNorth-AmericaVirginiaMissouriVermontspring-emergencelate-summer-prevalencerarely-encounteredshort-lived-adultevolutionary-coevolutionbenign-parasitismsoil-pupationlarval-migrationsubcutaneous-developmentDipteraInsectaentomologymedical-entomologyveterinary-entomologywildlife-diseaseparasitologyhost-parasite-interactioncuterebridrabbit-parasitelagomorph-parasitebotwarble-flygadflyOestrus-buccataFabricius-1775Cuterebra-buccata-(Fabricius,-1775)Glaphyridae
Bumble Bee Scarab Beetles
Glaphyridae is a family of scarabaeoid beetles comprising approximately 80 species across eight extant genera. Members are commonly known as bumble bee scarab beetles due to their often hairy appearance. The family exhibits specialized pollen-feeding behavior and has evolved associations with particular flower guilds, notably red 'poppy guild' flowers including Ranunculaceae and Papaveraceae. Phylogenetic studies indicate the family originated around 140 million years ago, with crown group divergence at approximately 112 million years ago. Pollen feeding evolved once within the family, between 97 and 67 million years ago, representing a later origin than in other major pollinator beetle lineages.
Lichnanthe
Lichnanthe, bumble bee scarab beetles
Lichnanthe is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Glaphyridae, commonly known as bumble bee scarab beetles. The genus contains approximately 10 described species distributed in North America. Members are known for their resemblance to bumble bees, an apparent case of mimicry. The genus was established by Burmeister in 1844.