# Exoprosopa fasciata The Exoprosopa fasciata is a special kind of fly with beautiful stripes! They are often found buzzing around flowers, helping to pollinate them. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Exoprosopa fasciata](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Barred_Bee_Fly_%28Exoprosopa_fasciata%29_%286175851321%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth!, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barred_Bee_Fly_%28Exoprosopa_fasciata%29_%286175851321%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Exoprosopa fasciata is a fuzzy, stout-bodied fly, often mimicking a bee. It has distinctive clear wings marked with bold, dark brown or black bands. Its body is typically covered in yellow-brown or reddish-brown hairs, giving it a soft, plump appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Bombyliidae - **Genus:** Exoprosopa ## Interesting facts - Its larvae are tiny secret agents, growing inside other insect larvae! - Some bee flies mimic venomous wasps, but they are totally harmless to people! - They lay their eggs near other insect nests, often 'bombing' them from the air! - This fuzzy fly is a champion hoverer, able to stay completely still in mid-air! ## Special abilities - **Master Disguise:** Exoprosopa fasciata has a furry body and striped wings that helps them look like a bee or wasp, tricking predators into leaving them alone. - **Egg Shooter:** Exoprosopa fasciata can flick its eggs with incredible accuracy, 'shooting' them into cracks near host insect nests for its larvae to find. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 18-35 mm - **Size:** 8-16 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-60 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar for energy, while their larvae secretly feast on other insect larvae! - **Age differences:** Larvae are internal parasites of other insects, while adults feed on flower nectar and pollen. - **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, pollen, bee larvae, wasp larvae, grasshopper eggs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** [Alfalfa leafcutter bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alfalfa-leafcutter-bee) (*Megachile rotundata*) — Larvae develop inside and consume its developing young. - **Parasitizes:** [Great golden digger wasp](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-golden-digger-wasp) (*Sphex ichneumoneus*) — Lays eggs near its nest to prey on developing larvae. - **Pollinates:** Common sunflower (*Helianthus annuus*) — Adults visit flowers, transferring pollen as they feed on nectar. - **Parasitizes:** [American bird grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bird-grasshopper) (*Schistocerca americana*) — Some larvae feed on its eggs laid in the ground. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [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 These flies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Exoprosopa fasciata? 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 Exoprosopa fasciata's wingspan? 18-35 mm ### How big is Exoprosopa fasciata? 8-16 mm ### How long does Exoprosopa fasciata live? 20-60 days ### What does Exoprosopa fasciata eat? Adults sip nectar for energy, while their larvae secretly feast on other insect larvae! ### Where is Exoprosopa fasciata usually found? Grasslands ### How does Exoprosopa fasciata hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Exoprosopa fasciata have? 6 ## 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: [Exoprosopa fasciata: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/exoprosopa-fasciata)