black moth wasp?
Location: Ann Arbor ,MI
July 30, 2010 1:21 pm
Dear Bugman, I have lived in Michigan my entire life, and only this year have ever noticed a bug like the one in my picture. These insects are actually fairly commonly found on the balcony of the apartment I recently moved into. They like to rest on the wood of the railing and sometimes hang around in my potted flowers. The balcony is a favorite place of many kinds of wasps (yellow jackets and others) and bees. My home is near a small stand of forest. These mystery bugs started showing up toward the end of June. I have been searching the internet for help identifying, and have found some creatures known as ”wasp moths”. I am wondering if perhaps that’s what they are. The picture I have submitted is the one that is the clearest – it also happens to have two of the insects in it. I believe they are mating. Any help with identification would be most appreciated. Thank you.
Kristin Knuutila
Hi Kristin,
These are mating Tiger Bee Flies, Xenox tigrinus, a species that is widespread across North America according to BugGuide.
Daniel,
Thank you forgetting back to me. I really appreciate it. I actually found some Tiger Bee Fly pictures on your site after I had submitted my picture. I guess I should scour your archives more carefully next time. Thank you again for the prompt reply and the service you provide.
Kristin
Want to join as I have had 2 recent bug’s I didn’t know. Thanks
Hi Mary,
You can click the Become a Patron box on our site for information on getting priority responses to your queries in the future, though we believe we already responded to both of your identification requests today.