Categories

Insect on summer flower
Tue, Oct 21, 2008 at 1:01 PM
This flying insect was photographed taking nectar from a late summer flower. The most interesting thing is the way it has folded it’s body almost at a ninety degee angle. Photograph was taken about the middle of August. I have no idea of what this is.
Norm Carl
northeastern Illinois

Scaly Bee Fly

Hi Again Norm,
This is a Bee Fly in the genus Lepidophora, possibly the Scaly Bee Fly, Lepidophora lepidocera.  The hump back shape is distinctive for the genus.  BugGuide represents two species in the genus and both are found in Illinois.  The other species is Lepidophora lutea and BugGuide indicates:  “Hunch-backed shape is shared with L. lutea . In L. lepidocera , the pale scales are white or pale yellow, and usually no pale scales are evident on the fourth abdominal segment. Also note fringe at end of abdomen.”

Related Posts

1. Bee Fly (July 20, 2005)
2. Hunchback Bee Fly (September 21, 2007)
3. Hummingbird Clearwing (October 22, 2008)
4. Dark Flower Scarab (November 4, 2008)
5. Scaly Bee Fly (July 23, 2009)