Subject: What is this in my garden?
Geographic location of the bug: Zone 8a DFW Texas
Date: 07/20/2019
Time: 03:14 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: I was out just a bit ago and saw this, not on a veggie plant but on a stake. Never seen anything like it!
How you want your letter signed: Terry
Dear Terry,
Before we were able to view your image, we guessed correctly that you wanted a Robber Fly identified, and Texas has some huge ones, including the Belzebul Bee-Eater. Your individual is a female based on the stinger-like ovipositor, and we believe she is in the genus Efferia. Aerial predators like Robber Flies and Dragonflies frequently rest on sticks and dead branches.
Thank You! I saw another 2 yesterday. Worried cuz I don’t have many bees in the first place.