# Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria (*laphria thoracica*) The Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria is a fascinating insect with a bright yellow back! It loves to buzz around flowers and is often seen darting through gardens. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** They can be found in gardens, meadows, and open fields. - **Also known as:** Laphria, Yellow-Backed Bee Fly ![Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Laphria_thoracica_-_Robber_Fly.JPG&width=800) Photo: Ilona Loser, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Laphria_thoracica_-_Robber_Fly.JPG) ## Appearance The Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria is a large, fuzzy insect that remarkably mimics a bumblebee. It has a robust black body with a distinctive, thick yellow band across its thorax, giving it a 'yellow-backed' appearance. Its black wings are clear. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Asilidae - **Genus:** Laphria ## Interesting facts - Their larvae live in rotting wood and eat other insect larvae underground. - These incredible fliers can hover perfectly still, just like a tiny helicopter. - They have super-sharp vision, helping them spot tiny prey from far away. - They're sometimes called "assassin flies" for their amazing hunting skills! ## Special abilities - **Mimic Master:** Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria has furry yellow and black markings that help them mimic stinging bumblebees, scaring off potential predators. - **Swift Hunter:** Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria can quickly ambush flying insects because of their powerful wings and excellent eyesight, catching prey mid-air. - **Venomous Bite:** Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria can inject paralyzing venom into their prey using a tough proboscis, quickly subduing other insects. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-50 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 21-28 days - **Flight Speed:** 15-25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These fierce insect hunters pounce on other flying bugs for their meals! - **Age differences:** Larvae hunt other insect larvae in decaying wood, while adults hunt flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** Honey bees, Bumblebees, Wasps, Flies, Beetles - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — A common prey item for adults. - **Hunts:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Often mistaken for their mimicry target. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — A bird predator that eats large insects. - **Eaten by:** Flower Crab Spider (*Misumena vatia*) — Ambush predator that catches them on flowers. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria's wingspan? 30-50 mm ### How big is Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria? 15-25 mm ### How long does Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria live? 21-28 days ### How fast can Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria fly? 15-25 km/h ### What does Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria eat? These fierce insect hunters pounce on other flying bugs for their meals! ### Where is Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria usually found? They can be found in gardens, meadows, and open fields. ### How does Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Ashton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashton-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Greenfield Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greenfield-park) — Wisconsin, US · Park - [Scoville Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/scoville-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [Marietta Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marietta-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Morton Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/morton-arboretum) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Old Ashton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-ashton-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District [View all places to see Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-yellow-backed-laphria) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Eastern Yellow-Backed Laphria Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-yellow-backed-laphria)