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Robber Fly (bumblebee mimic)

Laphria thoracica

Description:

The short, strong proboscis is used to stab and inject victims with saliva containing neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes which paralyze and digest the insides; the fly then sucks the liquefied meal through the proboscis. Many species have long, tapering abdomens, sometimes with a sword-like ovipositor. Others are fat-bodied bumble bee mimics. Adult robber flies attack other flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, various bees, dragon and damselflies, ichneumon wasps, grasshoppers, and some spiders.

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4 Comments

LaurenZarate
LaurenZarate 10 years ago

Best Bumble Bee mimic I've seen!

keithp2012
keithp2012 10 years ago

This is a very good mimic I was fooled until I looked closer at it

eftco88
eftco88 11 years ago

Amazing. very good

keithp2012
keithp2012 12 years ago

Thank You!

keithp2012
Spotted by
keithp2012

West Babylon, New York, USA

Spotted on Jun 2, 2011
Submitted on Jun 2, 2011

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