Wow, what a fly! I had to do some work in the dunes today. As I was walking back I noticed this fly landing on the sand. Even from a distance the colors looked interesting, so I bent down for a closer look. Such beautiful metallic purple and copper coloration! [You can click on the image for a larger version.]
I think this is a type of bee fly (Bombyliidae), but I'm not sure which species. If you have any bee fly contacts that could help with an identification, let me know.
This critter is GORGEOUS!!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Alice!
ReplyDeleteYes! All dressed up for a dune gala! ;)
Jackie
It is beautiful indeed. But... Bombycillidae seems to be a bird family. https://www.britannica.com/animal/Bombycillidae
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you meant Bombyliidae, which seems to be yet another not-bee for me to become familiar with, besides hoverflies and mason bees and I don't know what else. Well, maybe mason bees are actually bees, just not honeybees.
The insect world is vast and fascinating! Thank you for sharing all your sightings!!
Hi!
ReplyDeleteGood catch! I was just typing along and more often have bird families in my head than bee families. So I corrected the family name in this post to Bombyliidae.
Thanks again!
Jackie
Hi Jackie,
ReplyDeleteI have been searching for the possible identification of this insect, and I think that it is Exoprosopa iota.
David
Hi, David! Thanks very much! I'll check it out! :) Jackie
ReplyDelete