Subject: Digger wasp variant?
Location: Philadelphia, PA suburbs
July 3, 2012 1:20 pm
Hello, I noticed this wasp the other day and was struck by its appearance, as I do not usually see wasps this large except for the occasional cicada killer. I researched it online and as close as I could tell it was a digger wasp, specifically sphex nudus. However, in all the photos I have seen none have the orange antennae like the one in my picture. The wasp was also over an inch long.
Signature: Aaron Trzeciak

Mydas Fly

Hi Aaron,
This is a fly, not a wasp, and it is very easy to mistake a large Mydas Fly for a wasp.  We just posted a photo of another species of Mydas Fly, and your individual is Mydas tibialis which we identified on BugGuide.

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Subject: What is this insect?
Location: Oxford, NC
June 22, 2012 12:50 pm
Hi,
I am hoping you can help me identify this insect. I don’t think I have ever seen these before. It looks similar to a peach tree borer moth, but I don’t think their behavior makes sense if that is what they are. I have been watching several of these flying around an area where I have spreading chipped wood mulch. They appear to be laying eggs in the mulch, and there are no peach trees around at all. Thanks for any help.
Signature: Dan

Mydas Fly

Hi Dan,
It is interesting that you have compared this Mydas Fly to a Peach Tree Borer because both insects are wasp mimics.  According to BugGuide:  “Eggs are laid singly in soil or rotting wood. (See video of oviposition–Flickr). Mydas larvae prey on beetle larvae, esp. those of June beetles. Larvae pupate close to soil (or wood?) surface. Adults are active only in mid-summer.”

Thanks very much!  That is definitely it.  I hope they also prey on Japanese beetles.

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Massive Black Winged Thing
Location: South West Michigan
July 13, 2011 9:53 pm
This afternoon (July 13th) I was sitting outside around 4 pm when this really big insect landed on the mint in my garden. I thought it looked wasp-like on top, but the bottom looks more dragonfly-ish. It flew off after a bit and when it came towards me I ran. In my defence; it was over an inch long and looks rather badass.
I’ve asked several people but nobody knows! Any ideas? Thank you!
Signature: Erica

Mydas Fly

Hi Erica,
The Mydas Fly, Mydas clavatus, is actually a true Fly, though it does mimic certain wasps as a defense mechanism.  It does not bite or sting, and despite its large size and fierce appearance, it is perfectly harmless.

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What’s this bug?
Location: Lake Texoma, Oklahoma
June 28, 2011 10:41 pm
My son took this picture of this bug on the shores of Lake Texoma, on the Oklahoma side, the weekend of June 25 of this year.
It’s rather large, maybe 2in. long and flies.
I cannot find it in your extensive library, which is impressive and very helpful.I wasn’t even sure what ”type” of insect to start the search. Didn’t find it under ”wasps” or ”bees” or ”flies”.
Help!
Signature: A. Gordon

Mydas Fly

Dear A. Gordon,
We admit that our vast archive can be quite daunting if you don’t know where to start.  This is a Mydas Fly, Mydas clavatus, and it is an excellent mimic of Spider Wasps in the family Pompilidae.  Once we lightened your photo a bit, the detail in the head and body was really revealed.

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Large Wasp in AZ
Location: Tuwhicson, AZ
June 24, 2011 8:52 pm
Hello,
I took this picture of this huge wasp-type insect in Tucson, AZ and I’ve been trying to figure out what it is. It was maybe about 1.5” – 2” in length. The closest-resembling thing I’ve been able to find is the tarantula hawk, but I’ve only read about those having black abdomens/bodies with orange wings. Can you please identify my bug?? Thanks!!
Best,
Brooke
Signature: Brooke

Mydas Fly

Hi Brooke,
This is not a Wasp.  At first we thought it might be a Robber Fly, and we found a Robber Fly from Arizona on BugGuide, Archilestris magnificus, that is colored similarly, but alas, the antennae are quite different.  We then shifted to what our first impression was, that this might be a Mydas Fly, and we found a photo from Colorado on BugGuide of Phyllomydas phyllocerus  which matches quite nicely.  Additionally, there is a nice closeup of a related individual from Florida on BugGuide that also looks close.  We cannot say for certain that either the genus or species is correct, but we are relatively certain that this is in fact a Mydas Fly.

Hi Daniel,
Thanks for your help and your quick response!!!  Your website is excellent.  I started thinking after I posted my photo that it might be a fly because of the trumpet-shaped thing coming out of its face/mouth – or whatever flies bite/suck with.  I’m not up on my insect terminology.  That is one huge fly!  I’m relieved to know that it’s not a tarantula hawk.
Thanks again,
Brooke

Hi Brooke,
You are correct that wasps and flies have very different mouth anatomies.  Flies have a proboscis designed for sucking up food, and wasps have mandibles for chewing food.  Here is how the Utah Education Network website describes the mouth of a fly:  “Flies cannot chew. They have to suck up their food. Flies have mouth parts that absorb food like a sponge. Their food has to be in a liquid form in order for them to eat it. They have a tongue shaped like a drinking straw to slurp up their meals. Flies that eat nectar or blood do so by using their tongue which is called a proboscis. Even flies that eat other insects do so by sucking out the insides of their victims.”

Eric Eaton confirms ID
Daniel:
Sure looks like a Mydas sp. to me.  Nice detective work!
Eric

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