ExploreInsects

Bee-mimic Robber Flies

Laphria

Bee-mimic Robber Flies are cool insects that look like bees! They are fast fliers and love to catch other insects for food. They help keep nature balanced by controlling insect populations.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Bee-mimic Robber Flies has a robust, hairy body often patterned with black and bright yellow or orange, closely resembling a bumblebee. Unlike true bees, they possess only two wings and feature a distinctive bristly 'beard' around their mouthparts, aiding in prey capture.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyAsilidaeGenusLaphria
Bee-mimic Robber Flies
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgeaerial trait badgegrassland trait badge
Bee-mimic Robber Flies

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Even though they look tough, Bee-mimic Robber Flies cannot sting like a real bee!

Their babies, called larvae, live in the ground and munch on other insect grubs!

Wow! These flies can inject venom into their prey, paralyzing them almost instantly!

You can find robber flies on every continent in the world, except chilly Antarctica!

Special abilities

Ability

Mimicry Master

Bee-mimic Robber Flies has colors and fuzz that helps them look like dangerous bees, scaring away predators.

Ability

Aerial Ambush

Bee-mimic Robber Flies can catch other insects mid-flight with their powerful legs because it helps them secure fast-moving prey.

Ability

Bristle Shield

Bee-mimic Robber Flies has a bristly 'beard' (mystax) that helps protect their face from struggling prey and stings.

Ability

Laser Vision

Bee-mimic Robber Flies has large compound eyes that help them spot tiny moving insects from far away.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
20-50 mm
Size
10-25 mm
Lifespan
14-28 days
Flight Speed
30 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

These fierce aerial hunters feast on other insects, catching them with powerful legs mid-flight.

Age differences: Larvae consume other insect larvae in soil or decaying wood, while adults are active aerial hunters.

Primary Foods

  • bees
  • wasps
  • other flies
  • beetles
  • grasshoppers

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Preys on these bees, despite mimicking them.

hunts

German wasp

Vespula germanica

Captures and consumes these stinging insects.

hunts

House fly

Musca domestica

An effective predator of common flies.

eaten by

Blue Jay

Cyanocitta cristata

Can become a meal for insectivorous birds.

Traits

Also known as

Bee-mimic Fly

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't touch insects unless you know they are safe. Always observe from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bee-mimic Robber Flies's wingspan?

20-50 mm

How big is Bee-mimic Robber Flies?

10-25 mm

How long does Bee-mimic Robber Flies live?

14-28 days

How fast can Bee-mimic Robber Flies fly?

30 km/h

What does Bee-mimic Robber Flies eat?

These fierce aerial hunters feast on other insects, catching them with powerful legs mid-flight.

Where is Bee-mimic Robber Flies usually found?

Grasslands

How does Bee-mimic Robber Flies hunt?

Ambush

How many legs does Bee-mimic Robber Flies have?

6

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