Bee Hawk Bug

1314 Views 4 Replies 2 Participants Last post by USMCEOD, Jul 7, 2014

USMCEOD

Discussion Starter · Jul 7, 2014

Anybody know what kind of bug this is??? Looks like a bumble bee, but it swoops down a catches bees as the get ready to enter the hive and carries them off.

Insect Invertebrate Bee Membrane-winged insect Bumblebee

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AChabot

· #2 · Jul 7, 2014

USMCEOD said:
Anybody know what kind of bug this is??? Looks like a bumble bee, but it swoops down a catches bees as the get ready to enter the hive and carries them off. View attachment 12278

You got you a robber fly there. http://bugguide.net/node/view/555557

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AChabot

· #3 · Jul 7, 2014

Reading the comments on that page I linked to, you might also have a very rare photograph!

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AChabot

· #4 · Jul 7, 2014

Though looking at the thorax, it might not be Dasylechia atrox. I am positive it is a kind of fly, however, looking at the tarsus, eyes, and antennae. If not D. atrox, it is likely closely related.

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USMCEOD

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 7, 2014

AChabot said:
Reading the comments on that page I linked to, you might also have a very rare photograph!

I don't know much about rare photographs, I took this one with my phone... I have more of these robber flies than I want.. but, if the boys and I do better with the bb guns the flies around my place will be pushed to the brink of extinction... one can only hope!!

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