Bee Fly

Ligyra cf. doryca

Description:

Possibly a Ligyra doryca (Bombyliidae; Bombyliinae; Exoprosopini - Stout Beeflies). It has large, outswept wings and bee-like appearance, but its eyes gave it away as fly. Its body is about an inch long. Beeflies in genus Ligyra is large in size and have stout body. Their wings are usually hyaline and some with dot on wing vein cross. Many Bombyliidae superficially resemble bees and accordingly the prevalent common name for a member of the family is Bee Fly. Possibly the resemblance is aposematic, affording the adults some protection from predators. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators.