Bombylius

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Bombylius
Grosser Wollschweber Bombylius major detail edit.jpg
Bombylius major
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Bombyliidae
Tribe: Bombyliini
Genus: Bombylius
Linnaeus, 1758
Type species
B. major
Synonyms

Bombylius is a large genus of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae. They are known as the bee-flies, due to their striking resemblance to bees and bumblebees, and are distributed worldwide. One species of the genus, Bombylius major , is widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere and is very well known. [1] [2]

Contents

Physiology

Bombylius major Bombylius major top.jpg
Bombylius major
Bombylius discolor flying 2013.04.24.-03-Kirschgartshaeuser Schlaege Mannheim-Gefleckter Wollschweber im Flug.jpg
Bombylius discolor flying

All species in the genus share a similarity with the unrelated bees and bumblebees, which they mimic, possessing a thick coat of fur, with a colour ranging from yellow to orange. They can, however, be told apart from their models by the long and stiff proboscis they possess, used to probe for nectar as they fly (much like a hummingbird), by their rapid and darting flight, and by the peculiar structure of their legs. As larvae, they are parasitic and infest the nests of solitary bees (and possibly wasps), [3] consuming their food stores and grubs.

Species

European species

North American species

Species worldwide

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bombyliidae</span> Family of flies

The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoids of other insects.

<i>Anthrax</i> (fly) Genus of flies

Anthrax is a genus of bombyliid flies, commonly known as "bee-flies" due to their resemblance to bees. Most are dull black flies, and are usually small to medium in size, 4–20 millimetres (0.2–0.8 in), and many species have striking wing patterns.

<i>Villa</i> (fly) Genus of flies

Villa is a genus of flies belonging to the bee-fly family (Bombyliidae). They range in size from 5 to 17 millimetres, and have typically rounded heads. The males of some species have a brilliant mat of silvery patagial scales. About 270 Villa species are found on all continents except Antarctica. They can be distinguished from similar genera (Hemipenthes) by their wing venation.

<i>Hemipenthes</i> Genus of flies

Hemipenthes is a large genus of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae (bee-flies). There are many described species, distributed throughout the Holarctic realm. These are small to large robust flies with a body length of 5–14 mm. They can be distinguished from similar genera (Villa) by their wing venation. A number of species formerly in this genus were moved to a separate genus, ins in 2020.

<i>Toxophora</i> Genus of flies

Toxophora is a genus of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae (bee-flies). There are 47 described species, distributed throughout the world, although they are most abundant in Southwestern United States and western Mediterranean. World catalog of bee flies They are strange, stout, robust flies with a hunchbacked form, with a body length of 6–12 mm and wings 4 to 7.5mm. Most species are black with banding or spots.

<i>Merodon</i> Genus of flies

Merodon is a large genus of bee-like hoverflies. The majority of the species are centered on the Mediterranean and it is the second largest hoverfly genus in Europe with more than 50 European species. It is distributed over the Palaearctic and Afrotropical realms, with most European species occurring in Southern and Eastern Europe. The centre of distribution of this genus appears to be Turkey, where about 65 species have been recorded. Some species occur in Africa and the middle East, as far as Pakistan. Given the rate at which new species have been recorded over the past decades, the worldwide number of species could exceed 200. The larvae feed on the bulbs or rhizomes of monocotyledons.

<i>Myopa</i> Genus of flies

Myopa is a genus of flies from the family Conopidae.

<i>Bibio</i> (fly) Genus of flies

Bibio, March flies or St. Mark's flies, is a genus of flies (Diptera).

<i>Laphria</i> (fly) Genus of flies

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.

<i>Dioctria</i> Genus of flies

Dioctria is a genus of robber fly classified in the subfamily Dasypogoninae in the family Asilidae. Together with the genus Bohartia, Dicolonus, Echthodopa, Eudioctria and Metadioctria it forms the tribe Dioctriini.

<i>Bombylius canescens</i> Species of fly

Bombylius canescens, is a species of bee-fly belonging to the family Bombyliidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bombyliinae</span> Subfamily of flies

Bombyliinae is a subfamily of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae. There are more than 70 genera in Bombyliinae.

<i>Anastoechus</i> Genus of flies

Anastoechus is a genus of bee flies. There are at least 90 described species in Anastoechus.

References

  1. 1 2 Hull, F. M. (1973). Bee flies of the world. The genera of the family Bombyliidae. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press. pp.  687. ISBN   0-87474-131-9.
  2. "Kendall Bioresearch Services".
  3. Searching for the Right Target: Oviposition and Feeding Behavior in Bombylius Bee Flies (Diptera: Bombyliidae)