Bumblebee-mimic
Guides
Anthophora bomboides
Bumble-bee-mimic anthophora, Bumblebee-like Digger Bee, Stanford bumble bee digger
Anthophora bomboides is a solitary ground-nesting bee native to North America. Females construct distinctive turreted nests in sandy substrates, particularly coastal sand cliffs. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry of bumblebees, specifically resembling Bombus vosnesenskii in coloration. Research has documented unique microbial symbioses, with bacteria and fungi proliferating during larval diapause and potentially enhancing overwintering survival.
Criorhina
Bumble Flies
Criorhina is a genus of medium to large hoverflies (Syrphidae) that exhibit Batesian mimicry of bumblebees. The genus is characterized by a flattened, broad head and distinctive antennal placement on a prominent conical frontal process. Larvae develop in rot holes and decaying hardwoods. Several species show pronounced geographical variation in abdominal colour patterns, with morphological differences correlated with the distribution of their hymenopteran models.
Criorhina aurea
Criorhina aurea is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) described by Lovett in 1919. It belongs to the tribe Milesiini within the subfamily Eristalinae. The species is known from North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As with other members of the genus Criorhina, it likely exhibits bumblebee mimicry, a common trait among hoverflies in this group.
Criorhina caudata
Red-tailed Bumblefly
Criorhina caudata is a hoverfly species in the family Syrphidae, described by Curran in 1925. It is commonly known as the Red-tailed Bumblefly. The species is found in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Like other members of the genus Criorhina, it exhibits bumblebee mimicry as a defensive adaptation.
Criorhina verbosa
Hairy-cheeked Bumble Fly
Criorhina verbosa is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) commonly known as the Hairy-cheeked Bumble Fly. It belongs to the tribe Milesiini and is part of a genus whose members are notable bumblebee mimics. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1849 under the basionym Milesia verbosa.
Eristalis anthophorina
orange-spotted drone fly
Eristalis anthophorina, the orange-spotted drone fly, is a syrphid fly with Holarctic distribution. Adults reach approximately 15 mm in length and are notable mimics of bumblebees. The species is strongly associated with wetland habitats including bogs, fens, and woodland pools. It has been observed visiting flowers of Verbena hastata, Salix myricoides, and Hesperis matronalis.
Eristalis flavipes
orange-legged drone fly
Eristalis flavipes, commonly known as the orange-legged drone fly, is a North American hoverfly in the family Syrphidae. Adults are striking mimics of bumblebees, measuring 13–17 mm in length, with abundant bright yellow pile on a black body and distinctive orange-red legs. The species is active from early April through mid-October, occurring across diverse habitats with particular affinity for wetlands. Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, while larvae are aquatic rat-tailed maggots that filter-feed in standing water.
Hemaris aethra
Diervilla Clearwing
A day-flying hawkmoth native to northern North America. Adults are bumblebee mimics with clear wings and fuzzy bodies, hovering at flowers to feed on nectar. Elevated to species status in 2018 after long being considered a subspecies of H. diffinis; the two species remain extremely difficult to distinguish visually where they co-occur.
Hemaris diffinis
Snowberry Clearwing, Hummingbird Moth, Flying Lobster, Bumblebee Sphinx Moth
Hemaris diffinis is a day-flying sphinx moth notable for its bumblebee mimicry and clear, scale-free wing patches. Adults hover at flowers to feed on nectar using an exceptionally long proboscis. The species was historically confused with the cryptic Hemaris aethra in eastern North America, distinguished only recently through molecular and morphological analysis. Larvae are hornworm caterpillars that feed on various host plants including honeysuckle and snowberry.
Hemaris gracilis
slender clearwing, graceful clearwing
Hemaris gracilis, commonly known as the slender clearwing or graceful clearwing, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It is distinguished from related clearwing moths by red-brown bands on the thorax and a red abdomen. The species is considered the rarest of the three North American Hemaris species and is listed as threatened in Connecticut and of Special Concern in Massachusetts. Adults are active from March through August, with likely two generations per year in its range.
Hemaris thetis
Rocky Mountain Clearwing, California Clearwing
Hemaris thetis is a day-flying sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, commonly known as the Rocky Mountain clearwing or California clearwing. The species exhibits clearwing morphology with reduced wing scaling, resembling a bumblebee in flight. Adults are active from May to August and feed on nectar from various flowers. The species was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1855 and occurs in mountainous regions of western North America.
Laphria carbonaria
Lichnanthe ursina
Bumblebee Scarab, Bumblebee Scarab Beetle
Lichnanthe ursina, commonly called the bumblebee scarab or bumblebee scarab beetle, is a species of scarab beetle in the family Glaphyridae. It is native to North America and has been recorded from California. The common name reflects its resemblance to bumblebees, a form of Batesian mimicry common in this family.
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.
Mallota bautias
Bare-eyed Bee-mimic Fly
Mallota bautias is a hoverfly (family Syrphidae) native to eastern North America. The species is notable for its exceptional mimicry of bumblebees (genus Bombus), particularly Bombus pennsylvanicus, serving as a classic example of Batesian mimicry in which a harmless species evolves to resemble a stinging model. Adult flies are pollinators, while larvae develop in tree holes filled with water. The species has been the subject of behavioral studies examining how avian predators respond to the mimic and its model.
Merodon equestris
Narcissus bulb fly, greater bulb fly, large bulb fly, large Narcissus fly
Merodon equestris is a Holarctic hoverfly (Syrphidae) and a significant horticultural pest of bulbous plants. Adults are bumblebee mimics with variable coloration controlled by multiple genetic loci, flying low in zig-zag patterns April through July. Larvae develop internally within bulbs of Amaryllidaceae and Liliaceae, particularly Narcissus, causing economic damage in cultivated settings.
Proserpinus flavofasciata
yellow-banded day sphinx
Proserpinus flavofasciata, commonly known as the yellow-banded day sphinx, is a day-flying hawk moth native to North America. The adult is a bumblebee mimic with distinctive black and yellow coloration. The species inhabits boreal and mountain forest edges and clearings, with a distribution spanning Canada from Alaska to the Maritimes and southward to Maine and Massachusetts. Larvae feed on Epilobium and Rubus species, and the species overwinters as a pupa in soil.
Volucella evecta
Eastern Swiftwing
Volucella evecta, commonly known as the eastern swiftwing, is an uncommon hoverfly native to eastern North America. Once considered a subspecies of Volucella bombylans, genetic evidence has established it as a distinct species. This species exhibits Batesian mimicry, closely resembling bumble bees to avoid predation. Adults are known pollinators that visit flowering plants including Geum, Viburnum, and Rubus.