Black-tailed Laphria – Mascot Candidate for 2027

Laphria flavicollis

Mimicry

Bumble bee mimic robber fly. Bumble bees notoriously have a painful sting that predators like birds learn to avoid. The Black-tailed Laphria or bee mimicking robber fly aims to capitalize off of their appearance to avoid being eaten by predators. The most compelling feature making them resemble bees is their stout body covered in black and yellow hair.

Quick Facts

• Found in the Eastern half of the U.S. and parts of Canada
• Found in deciduous woodlands, forest edges, roadsides, stumps, and woodpiles
• Laphria are 'hawkers' meaning they accost their prey mid-flight.
• These flies are agile and quick in their flight ability.
• Once their prey is caught, these flies inject a poisonous digestive enzyme that liquifies their prey's insides for the fly to suck out.