Laphria
Guides
Laphria aeatus
Laphria aeatus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Walker in 1849. As a member of the genus Laphria, it belongs to a group known for effective bumble bee mimicry. The genus is characterized by thick antennae that distinguish it from similar mimetic genera such as Mallophora.
Laphria aimatis
Laphria aimatis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by McAtee in 1919. The genus Laphria includes species known for their effective mimicry of bumble bees (Bombus), with which they share similar coloration and hairiness. These flies are predatory as adults and are often observed perching on vegetation while hunting for prey. The specific epithet 'aimatis' appears to be derived from Greek, though its precise meaning in this context is not documented in available sources.
Laphria asturina
Laphria asturina is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae), a group of predatory dipterans known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species was originally described as Bombomima asturina before being transferred to Laphria. Like other members of the genus Laphria, it is likely a bumble bee mimic, though specific documentation of this trait for L. asturina is limited. Robber flies in this genus are notable for their convincing mimicry of hymenopterans, which may provide protection from predators.
Laphria carbonaria
Laphria champlainii
Laphria champlainii is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. It belongs to the genus Laphria, which includes several bumble bee-mimicking species known for their effective Batesian mimicry. The species was described by Walton in 1910. Like other Laphria species, it is presumed to be an active aerial predator, though specific behavioral and ecological details remain poorly documented.
Laphria columbica
Columbian Bee Killer
Laphria columbica is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Francis Walker in 1866. The genus Laphria is notable for species that are effective mimics of bumble bees, and L. columbica appears to follow this pattern. Robber flies in this genus are predatory and often observed perching on vegetation while hunting. The specific epithet "columbica" suggests a connection to the Columbia River region or British Columbia, though the exact etymology is not documented in available sources.
Laphria ferox
Laphria ferox is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. It belongs to the genus Laphria, a group commonly known as 'bee-like robber flies' due to their resemblance to bumble bees. The species was described by Samuel Wendell Williston in 1883. As with other robber flies, it is presumed to be a predatory insect, though specific behavioral and ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Laphria huron
Huron Laphria
Laphria huron is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Bromley in 1929. As a member of the genus Laphria, it belongs to a group known for effective bumble bee mimicry, with several species exhibiting dense yellow and black setation that closely resembles Bombus species. Robber flies in this genus are predatory as adults and are often found in open habitats where they perch on vegetation to hunt passing insects. The specific epithet 'huron' likely references the Great Lakes region or Lake Huron, though the precise type locality and detailed natural history of this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Laphria scorpio
Scorpion Laphria
A species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by McAtee in 1919. Little is documented about this specific species beyond its taxonomic placement. The genus Laphria includes species known for effective mimicry of bumble bees and other hymenopterans.
Laphria vivax
Laphria vivax is a species of robber fly (Asilidae) described by Williston in 1883. As a member of the genus Laphria, it belongs to a group known for effective bumble bee mimicry, though specific details distinguishing L. vivax from congeners are limited in available sources. The species is accepted in current taxonomy but appears to be less documented than some other Laphria species.