Laphria (fly)

Laphria is a genus described by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1803, belonging to the family Asilidae, subfamily Laphriinae. Members of this genus are known as bee-like robber flies. This genus has a Holarctic distribution, occurring in Europe, Asia, and North America. They prey on a variety of insects, including other robber flies, bees, wasps and beetles. Like other asilids, they use their proboscis to penetrate the body of their prey and inject enzymes which dissolve the tissues.

Laphria
Laphria sadales
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Asilidae
Subfamily: Laphriinae
Genus: Laphria
Meigen, 1803

These large flies measure 15–25 mm (0.59–0.98 in) in length. Most Laphria species are quite hairy and black in color. Some have bee-mimicking markings with black and yellow stripes (See Laphria thoracica). They can be encountered from July through September.

Species

Select species include:[1][2][3][4]

References

  1. "Laphria Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
  2. "Browse Laphria". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
  3. "Laphria". GBIF. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
  4. "Laphria Genus Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
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