The Bombyliidae are a

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on

nectar Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries or nectarines, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollinating animals, or by extrafloral nectaries, which provide a nutrient source to animal mutualists ...

and

pollen Pollen is a powdery substance produced by seed plants. It consists of pollen grains (highly reduced microgametophytes), which produce male gametes (sperm cells). Pollen grains have a hard coat made of sporopollenin that protects the gametophyt ...

, some being important

pollinator A pollinator is an animal that moves pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma of a flower. This helps to bring about fertilization of the ovules in the flower by the male gametes from the pollen grains. Insects are the maj ...

s. Larvae are mostly

parasitoid In evolutionary ecology, a parasitoid is an organism that lives in close association with its host (biology), host at the host's expense, eventually resulting in the death of the host. Parasitoidism is one of six major evolutionarily stable str ...

s of other insects.

Overview

The Bombyliidae are a large

of flies comprising hundreds of

genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...

, but the life cycles of most species are known poorly, or not at all. They range in size from very small (2 mm in length) to very large for flies (wingspan of some 40 mm).Hull, Frank Montgomery, Bee flies of the world: the genera of the family Bombyliidae Washington, Smithsonian Institution Press 1973 . Downloadable from: https://archive.org/details/beefliesofworl2861973hull When at rest, many species hold their wings at a characteristic "swept back" angle. Adults generally feed on

and

, some being important

s, often with spectacularly long proboscises adapted to plants such as '' Lapeirousia'' species with very long, narrow floral tubes. Unlike butterflies, bee flies hold their proboscis straight, and cannot retract it. In parts of East Anglia, locals refer to them as beewhals, thanks to their tusk-like appendages. Many Bombyliidae superficially resemble

bee Bees are winged insects closely related to wasps and ants, known for their roles in pollination and, in the case of the best-known bee species, the western honey bee, for producing honey. Bees are a monophyly, monophyletic lineage within the ...

s and accordingly the prevalent common name for a member of the family is bee fly. Possibly the resemblance is

Batesian mimicry Batesian mimicry is a form of mimicry where a harmless species has evolved to imitate the warning signals of a harmful species directed at a predator of them both. It is named after the English naturalist Henry Walter Bates, after his work on bu ...

, affording the adults some protection from

predator Predation is a biological interaction where one organism, the predator, kills and eats another organism, its prey. It is one of a family of common feeding behaviours that includes parasitism and micropredation (which usually do not kill th ...

s. The larval stages are predators or

s of the eggs and

larva A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle. The ...

e of other insects. The adult females usually deposit eggs in the vicinity of possible hosts, quite often in the burrows of

beetle Beetles are insects that form the order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Endopterygota. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects. The Coleoptera, with about 400,000 describ ...

s or

wasp A wasp is any insect of the narrow-waisted suborder Apocrita of the order Hymenoptera which is neither a bee nor an ant; this excludes the broad-waisted sawflies (Symphyta), which look somewhat like wasps, but are in a separate suborder. Th ...

s/solitary bees. Although insect parasitoids usually are fairly host-specific, often highly host-specific, some Bombyliidae are opportunistic and will attack a variety of hosts. The Bombyliidae include at least 4,500 described species, and certainly thousands more remain to be described. However, most species do not often appear in abundance, and compared to other major groups of pollinators they are much less likely to visit flowering plants in urban parks or suburban gardens. As a result, this is arguably one of the most poorly known families of

insect Insects (from Latin ') are pancrustacean hexapod invertebrates of the class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body ( head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs ...

s relative to its species richness. The family has a patchy fossil record, with species being known from a handful of localities, the oldest known species are known from the Middle Cretaceous Burmese amber, around 99 million years old.

Morphology

Adult

Although the morphology of beeflies varies in detail, adults of most bee flies are characterized by some morphological details that make recognition easy. The dimensions of the body vary, depending on the species, from 1.0 mm to 2.5 cm. The form is often compact and the integument is usually covered with dense and abundant hair. The coloration is usually inconspicuous and colours such as brown, blackish- grey, and light colors like white or yellow predominate. Many species are mimics of Hymenoptera Apoidea. In other species patches of flattened hairs occur that can act as silvery, gilded or coppertone reflecting mirrors; these perhaps serve as visual signals in conspecific mate/rival recognition, or perhaps imitate reflecting surface particles on bare soils with high content of materials like quartz, mica or pyrite. 1500exoprosopacaliptera DSC6698 DxO

The head is round, with a convex face, often holoptic in males. The antennae are of the type aristate composed of three to six segments, with the third segment larger than the others; the stylus is absent (antenna of three segments) or is composed of one to three

flagellomeres Antennae ( antenna), sometimes referred to as "feelers", are paired appendages used for sensing in arthropods. Antennae are connected to the first one or two segments of the arthropod head. They vary widely in form but are always made of one o ...

(antenna of four to six segments). The mouthparts are modified for sucking and adapted for feeding on flowers. The length varies considerably: for example, the Anthracinae have short mouthparts, with the labium terminating in a large fleshy labellum, in Bombyliinae; in Phthiriinae, the tube is considerably longer, and in Bombyliinae more than four times the length of the head. The legs are long and thin and the front legs are sometimes smaller and more slender than the middle and rear legs. Typically, they are provided with bristles at the apex of the tibiae, without empodia and, sometimes, also without

pulvilli Pulvilli are soft, cushionlike pads on the feet of insects and other arthropods, such as the housefly and ixodid ticks. They are located at the base of the claws (#2 in the figure at right). The pulvilli function as an adhesive system. Their sti ...

. The wings are transparent, often hyaline or evenly colored or with bands. The alula are well developed and in the rest position the wings are kept open and horizontal in a V shape revealing the sides of the abdomen. The abdomen is generally short and wide, subglobose-shaped, cylindrical, or conical, composed of six to eight apparent urites. The remaining urites are part of the structure of the external genitalia. The abdomen of the females often ends with spinous processes, used in ovideposition. In Anthracinae and Bombyliinae, a diverticulum is present in the eighth urite, in which the eggs are mixed with sand before being deposited. 2610pokemonfly DSC7968 DxO

The

wing venation Insect wings are adult outgrowths of the insect exoskeleton that enable insects to flight, fly. They are found on the second and third Thorax (insect anatomy), thoracic segments (the mesothorax and metathorax), and the two pairs are often referre ...

, although variable within the family, has some common characteristics that can be summarized basically in the particular morphology of the branches of the radial sector and the reduction of the forking of the media. The costa is spread over the entire margin and the subcosta is long, often ending on the distal half of the costal margin. The radius is almost always divided into four branches, with fusion of the branches R 2 and R 3, and is characterized by the sinuosity of the end portions of the branches of the radial sector. The venation presents a marked simplification compared to other Asiloidea and, in general, to other lower Brachycera. M 1 is always present and converges on the margin or, sometimes, of R 5. M 2 is present and reaches the margin, or is absent. M 3 is always absent and merged with M 4. The discal cell is usually present. The branch M 3 +4 is separated from the discal cell at the distal posterior vertex, so the mid-cubital connects directly to the posterior margin of the discal cell. The cubital and anal veins are complete and end separately on the margin or converge joining for a short distance Consequently, the cell cup may be open or closed. Image:Bombyliidae wing veins-1.svg, Wing venation type 1 ''Bombylius'' Image:Bombyliidae wing veins-2.svg, Wing venation type 2 ''Anthrax'' Image:Bombyliidae wing veins-3.svg, Wing venation type 3 Usiinae Hoverflies of the family Syrphidae often mimic Hymenoptera as well, and some syrphid species are hard to tell apart from Bombyliidae at first glance, especially for bee fly species that lack a long proboscis or long, thin legs. Such bombyliids can still be distinguished in the field by anatomical features such as: - They usually have an evenly curved or sloping face (hoverflies often have prominent bulges of the facial cuticle and/or beak- to knob-like facial projections). - The wings lack a "false rear edge" and often have large dark areas with sharp boundaries, or complex patterns of spots ( hoverfly wings are often clear or have smooth gradients of tinting, and their veins merge posteriorly into a "false edge" rather than reaching the wing's true rear edge). - The abdomen and thorax hardly ever have large glossy areas formed by exposed cuticle (hoverflies often have glossy cuticular body surfaces).

Larva

The larvae of most bee flies are of two types. Those of the first type are elongated and cylindrical in shape and have a metapneustic or amphipneustic tracheal system, provided with a pair of abdominal spiracles and, possibly, a thoracic pair. Those of the second type are stubby and eucephalic and have one pair of spiracles positioned in the abdomen.(ref needed)

Biology

Adults favour sunny conditions and dry, often sandy or rocky areas. They have powerful wings and are found typically in flight over flowers or resting on the bare ground exposed to the sun
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They significantly contribute to cross pollination of plants, becoming the main pollinators of some plant species of desert environments. Unlike the majority of glyciphagous dipterans, the bee flies feed on pollen (from which they meet their protein requirements). A similar trophic behavior occurs among the hoverflies, another important family of Diptera pollinators. As with hoverflies, bee flies are capable of sudden acceleration or deceleration, all but momentum-free high-speed changes of direction, superb control of position while hovering in mid-air, as well as a characteristically cautious approach of a possible feeding or landing site. Bombyliids are often recognizable by their stocky shapes, by their hovering behavior, and for the particular length of their mouthparts and/or legs as they lean forward into flowers. Unlike hoverflies, which settle on the flower as do bees and other pollinating insects, those bee fly species which have a long proboscis generally feed while continuing to hover in the air, rather like Sphingidae, or while touching the flower with their front legs to stabilize their position - without fully landing or ceasing oscillation of the wings. Species with shorter proboscis do land and walk on flower heads, however, and can be much harder to distinguish from hoverflies in the field. As noted, many bee fly species spend regular time intervals at rest on or near the ground, while hoverflies hardly ever do so. It can therefore be informative to watch feeding individuals and see whether or not they move down to ground level after a few minutes. Close observation is often easier with feeding individuals than with flies on the ground, as the latter are especially quick to take flight at the first sight of moving silhouettes or approaching shadows. Mating behavior has only been observed in a handful of species. It can vary from fairly generic swarming or unsolicited mid-air interception, as is common in many

Diptera Flies are insects of the order Diptera, the name being derived from the Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwings having evolved into advanced ...

, to courtship behavior involving a context-specific flight pattern and wingbeat pitch of the male, with or without repeated proboscis contact between male and female. Males often seek out smaller or larger clearings on the ground, presumably in vicinity of flowering plants or host nesting habitats that are likely attractive to females. They can return to their chosen perch or patch after every feeding bout or after pursuit of other insects flying over, or they can instead survey their chosen territory while hovering one or more meters above the bare patch. Gravid females seek out nesting habitats of hosts, and can spend many minutes inspecting for example entrances of smaller burrows in soil. In some species this behavior consists of hovering and repeated split-second foreleg touches of soil near the edge of the burrow's entrance, presumably to detect biochemical clues about the burrow's constructor such as identity, recency of visiting etc. If a burrow passes scrutiny then the bee fly may proceed to land and insert its posterior abdomen into the soil, laying one or more eggs at the edge or in close vicinity to it. In nine subfamilies including the more frequently observable Bombyliinae and Anthracinae, the females often do not land at all during host burrow inspections, and will proceed to release their eggs from midair by quick flicks of the abdomen while hovering over the burrow's entrance. This remarkable behavior has earned such species the colloquial name of Bomber flies, it can be seen in Roy Kleuker's online video clip in YouTube. Female flies with this remarkable

oviposition The ovipositor is a tube-like organ used by some animals, especially insects, for the laying of eggs. In insects, an ovipositor consists of a maximum of three pairs of appendages. The details and morphology of the ovipositor vary, but typical ...

strategy typically have a ventral storage structure known as a sand chamber on the posterior end of the abdomen, which is filled with sand grains gathered before egg laying. These sand grains are used to coat each egg just before their aerial release, which is assumed to improve the female's aim as well as the egg's survival chances by adding weight, slowing down egg dehydration, masking biochemical cues that could trigger host behavior such as nest cleaning or abandonment - or a combination of all three. Despite the high number of species of this family, the biology of juveniles of most species is poorly understood. The postembryonic development is of the type

hypermetamorphic Hypermetamorphosis, or heteromorphosis,P.J. Gullan & P.S. Cranston. 2010. The Insects: An Outline of Entomology, 4th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell. is a term used in entomology that refers to a class of variants of holometabolism, that is to say, com ...

, with parasitoid or hyperparasitoid larvae. Exceptions are the larvae of Heterotropinae, whose biology is similar to that of other Asiloidea, with predatory larvae that do not undergo hypermetamorphosis. Hosts of bee flies belong to different orders of insects, but mostly are among the holometabolous orders. Among these are Hymenoptera, in particular the superfamilies of Vespoidea and Apoidea, beetles, other flies, and moths. Larvae of some species including ''

Villa A villa is a type of house that was originally an ancient Roman upper class country house. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became s ...

'' sp. feed on ova of

Orthoptera Orthoptera () is an order of insects that comprises the grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets, including closely related insects, such as the bush crickets or katydids and wētā. The order is subdivided into two suborders: Caelifera – grassho ...

. '' Bombylius major'' larvae are parasitic on solitary bees including '' Andrena''. '' Anthrax anale'' is a parasite of tiger beetle larvae, and ''A. trifasciata'' is a parasite of the wall bee. Several African species of ''

'' and ''

Thyridanthrax ''Thyridanthrax'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoids ...

'' are parasitic pupae of

tsetse flies Tsetse ( , or ) (sometimes spelled tzetze; also known as tik-tik flies), are large, biting flies that inhabit much of tropical Africa. Tsetse flies include all the species in the genus ''Glossina'', which are placed in their own family, Glo ...

. ''

Villa morio A villa is a type of house that was originally an ancient Roman upper class country house. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became ...

'' is parasitic on the beneficial

ichneumonid The Ichneumonidae, also known as the ichneumon wasps, Darwin wasps, or ichneumonids, are a family (biology), family of parasitoid wasps of the insect order Hymenoptera. They are one of the most diverse groups within the Hymenoptera with roughly 2 ...

species ''

Banchus femoralis ''Banchus'' is a genus of parasitoid wasps belonging to the family Ichneumonidae. The genus was first described by Fabricius in 1798. The species of this genus are found in Europe and Northern America. Species: * ''Banchus dilatatorius'' * '' ...

''. The larvae of ''

Dipalta ''Dipalta'' is a genus of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae (bee-flies). The genus is closely related to ''Villa''. Description These medium-sized flies, with conical faces, have three marginal wing cells on mottled wings with erratic w ...

'' are parasitic on

antlion The antlions are a group of about 2,000 species of insect in the neuropteran family Myrmeleontidae. They are known for the predatory habits of their larvae, which mostly dig pits to trap passing ants or other prey. In North America, the larvae ...

s. The behavior of known forms is similar to that of the larvae of

Nemestrinoidea Nemestrinoidea is a small, monophyletic superfamily of flies, whose relationship to the other Brachycera is uncertain; they are sometimes grouped with the Tabanomorpha rather than the Asilomorpha. They are presently considered to be the sister t ...

: the first instar larva of is a planidium while the other stages have a parasitic habitus. The eggs are laid usually in a future host or at the nest where the host develops. The planidium enters the nest and undergoes changes before starting to feed.

Zoogeography

The family is worldwide (

Palearctic realm The Palearctic or Palaearctic is the largest of the eight biogeographic realms of the Earth. It stretches across all of Eurasia north of the foothills of the Himalayas, and North Africa. The realm consists of several bioregions: the Euro-Sibe ...

Nearctic realm The Nearctic realm is one of the eight biogeographic realms constituting the Earth's land surface. The Nearctic realm covers most of North America, including Greenland, Central Florida, and the highlands of Mexico. The parts of North America t ...

Afrotropical realm The Afrotropical realm is one of Earth's eight biogeographic realms. It includes Africa south of the Sahara Desert, the majority of the Arabian Peninsula, the island of Madagascar, southern Iran and extreme southwestern Pakistan, and the island ...

Neotropical realm The Neotropical realm is one of the eight biogeographic realms constituting Earth's land surface. Physically, it includes the tropical terrestrial ecoregions of the Americas and the entire South American temperate zone. Definition In bioge ...

, Australasian realm,

Oceanian realm The Oceanian realm is one of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) biogeographic realms, and is unique in not including any continental land mass. It has the smallest land area of any of the WWF realms. This realm includes the islands of the Pacific Oc ...

Indomalayan realm The Indomalayan realm is one of the eight biogeographic realms. It extends across most of South and Southeast Asia and into the southern parts of East Asia. Also called the Oriental realm by biogeographers, Indomalaya spreads all over the Indi ...

), but has the greatest biodiversity in tropical and subtropical arid climates. In Europe, 335 species are distributed among 53 genera.

Species lists

West Palaearctic including RussiaJapanWorld list

Systematics

The systematics of bee flies are the most uncertain of any family of lower Brachycera.

Willi Hennig Emil Hans Willi Hennig (20 April 1913 – 5 November 1976) was a Germans, German biologist and zoologist who is considered the founder of Phylogenesis, phylogenetic systematics, otherwise known as cladistics. In 1945 as a POWs in World War II, p ...

(1973) placed the bee flies in the superfamily of Nemestrinoidea, on the basis of analogies in the behaviour of the larvae, positioning the superfamily in Tabanomorpha inside the infraorder HomoeodactylaWilli Hennig, 1973. Diptera (Zweiflüger). In J.G. Helmcke, D. Starck, H. Vermuth Hanbuch der Zoologie, Eine Naturgeschichte der Stämme des Tierreiches. IV. Band: Arthropoda - 2- Hälfte: Insecta. 2. Teil: Spezielles. Berlin, De Gruyter, 1973. pp. 1-337. .

Boris Rohdendorf Boris Borisovich Rohdendorf (russian: link=no, Борис Борисович Родендорф, 12 July 190421 November 1977) was a Soviet entomologist and curator at the Zoological Museum at the University of Moscow. He attained the position of ...

(1974) dealt with the family in a separate superfamily (Bombyliidea), linking it to the superfamily of Asilidea.Boris B. Rohdendorf, Brian Hocking, Harold Oldroyd, George E. Ball. The Historical Development of Diptera. University of Alberta, 1974: 75-77. . Currently the close correlation either positions the bee-flies within the superfamily Asiloidea sensu Rohdendorf (Asilidea) or they are included with the families separated by Rohdendorf in the superfamily of Asiloidea. The internal systematic of bee-flies is uncertain. In the past, 31 subfamilies were well defined, but the family is thought to be polyphyletic (''sensu lato''). In the 1980s and '90s, the family has undergone several revisions: Webb (1981)Webb D.W., 1981 Hilarimorphidae. in: McAlpine J.F. (Ed.), ''Manual of Nearctic Diptera''. Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, pp. 603-605. finally moved the genus ''Hilarimorpha'' into their own family (

Hilarimorphidae The Hilarimorphidae or hilarimorphid flies are a family of Diptera. They are of uncertain placement and may be related to the Acroceridae. Most species are Nearctic. Species Genus '' Cretahilarimorpha'' Myskowiak, Azar & Nel, 2016 *'' Cretahila ...

). Zaitzev (1991)Zaitzev, V.F., 1991 On the phylogeny and systematics of the dipteran superfamily Bombylioidea (Diptera). ''Entomol. Obozr''. 70

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: 716–36. moved the genus ''Mythicomyia'' and several other minor genera in the family Mythicomyiidae, Yeates (1992, 1994) shifted the entire subfamily of Proratinae, with the exception of ''Apystomyia'', into the family of

Scenopinidae The Scenopinidae or window flies are a small (about 400 described species) family of flies (Diptera), distributed worldwide. In buildings, they are often taken at windows, hence the common name window flies. The two species with cosmopolitan dist ...

and subsequently the genus ''Apystomyia'' into the family Hilarimorphidae. Nagatomi & Liu (1994) moved ''Apystomyia'' into a family of their own (

Apystomyiidae Apystomyiidae is a small family (biology), family of fly, flies containing the living genus ''Apystomyia'' and the extinct genera ''Apystomimus'' and ''Hilarimorphites''. The single living Apystomyiidae species, ''Apystomyia elinguis'', is native ...

. After these revisions, the bee flies ''sensu stricto'' have a greater morphological homogeneity, but the monophyly of the family still remains dubious.Yeates & Lambkin, The Tree of Life, op. cit.. Phylogenetic analysis of CAD and 28S rDNA gene sequences supports monophyly of only eight subfamilies out of fifteen included in the study, with the Bombyliinae resolving as a highly polyphyletic group. Overall, the family includes about 4700 described species, distributed among 270 genera. The internal arrangement varies according to the source, according to the different frameworks the authors attribute to tribes and subfamilies. To divide the family, often this scheme is used:

Genera

*'' Acanthogeron'' Bezzi, 1925 *'' Acreophthiria'' Evenhuis, 1986 *'' Acreotrichus'' Macquart, 1840 *'' Acrophthalmyda'' Bigot, 1858 *'' Adelidea'' Macquart, 1840 *'' Adelogenys'' Hesse, 1938 *''

Aldrichia ''Aldrichia'' is a genus of bee flies (insects in the family Bombyliidae). Species These species belong to the genus ''Aldrichia'': *'' A. auripuncta'' Painter, 1940 *'' A. ehrmanii'' Coquillett Daniel William Coquillett (23 January 1856, Ple ...

Coquillett Daniel William Coquillett (23 January 1856, Pleasant Valley, Ill. – 7 July 1911 Atlantic City, New Jersey) was an American entomologist who specialised in Diptera. He wrote a revision of the dipterous family Therevidae and many other scientifi ...

, 1894 *'' Alepidophora'' Cockerell, 1909 *'' Aleucosia''

Edwards Edwards may refer to: People * Edwards (surname) * Edwards family, a prominent family from Chile * Edwards Barham (1937-2014), a former member of the Louisiana State Senate * Edwards Pierrepont (1817–1892), an American attorney, jurist, and ora ...

, 1934 *'' Alomatia'' Cockerell, 1914 *'' Amictites'' Hennig, 1966 *'' Amictus'' Wiedemann, 1817 *'' Amphicosmus''

, 1891 *''

Anastoechus ''Anastoechus'' is a genus of bee flies (insects in the family Bombyliidae). There are at least 90 described species in ''Anastoechus''. Species These 90 species belong to the genus ''Anastoechus'': * '' Anastoechus aberrans'' Paramonov, 1940 * ...

Osten Sacken The House von der Osten-Sacken is an old and distinguished noble family of Baltic Germans. The family members held the titles of ''Baron'', ''Graf'', ''Knyaz'' and ''Fürst''. History The origins of the family are traced to 14th century. In 16 ...

, 1877 *'' Anisotamia'' Macquart, 1840 *''

Anthrax Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium ''Bacillus anthracis''. It can occur in four forms: skin, lungs, intestinal, and injection. Symptom onset occurs between one day and more than two months after the infection is contracted. The sk ...

'' Scopoli, 1763 *''

Antonia Antonia may refer to: People * Antonia (name), including a list of people with the name * Antonia gens, a Roman family, any woman of the gens was named ''Antonia'' * Antônia (footballer) * Antônia Melo Entertainment * ''Antonia's Line'', or ...

'' Loew, 1856 *'' Antoniaustralia''

Becker Becker () is one of the German-language surnames, along with Bäcker and Baecker, that derive from the root, which refers to baking. The surname began as a name for a baker (and thus his family). In northern Germany it can also derive from the ...

, 1913 *'' Apatomyza'' Wiedemann, 1820 *''

Aphoebantus ''Aphoebantus'' is a genus of bee flies (insects in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly para ...

'' Loew, 1872 *''

Apolysis Apolysis ( grc, ἀπόλυσις "discharge, lit. absolution") is the separation of the arthropod cuticle, cuticle from the Epidermis (zoology), epidermis in arthropods and related groups (Ecdysozoa). Since the cuticle of these animals is also th ...

'' Loew, 1860 *''

Astrophanes ''Astrophanes'' is a genus of bee flies (insects in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly paras ...

, 1877 *''

Atrichochira ''Atrichochira'' is a genus of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae (bee-flies). There are four described species, two from Southern Africa and two from western Australia. These are robust and very hairy flies with a body length of , are yell ...

'' Hesse, 1956 *'' Australiphthiria'' Evenhuis, 1986 *'' Australoechus'' Greathead, 1995 *''

Balaana ''Balaana'' is a genus of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae (bee-flies). There are about seven described species, including three from western Australia. These are robust and very hairy flies with a body length of . Species These 11 speci ...

'' Lambkin & Yeates, 2003 *'' Beckerellus'' Greathead, 1995 *'' Bombomyia'' Greathead, 1995 *
Bombylella
' Greathead, 1995 *'' Bombylisoma'' Rondani, 1856 *''

Bombylius ''Bombylius'' is a large genus of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae. They are known as the bee-flies, due to their striking resemblance to bees and bumblebees, and are distributed worldwide. One species of the genus, ''Bombylius major'', ...

'' Linnaeus,

1758 Events January–March * January 1 – Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus (Carl von Linné) publishes in Stockholm the first volume (''Animalia'') of the 10th edition of Systema Naturae, 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae'', the sta ...

, 1758 *'' Brachyanax'' Evenhuis, 1981 *'' Brachydemia'' Hull, 1973 *'' Bromoglycis'' Hull, 1971 *'' Brychosoma'' Hull, 1973 *'' Bryodemina'' Hull, 1973 *'' Cacoplox'' Hull, 1970 *'' Caecanthrax'' Greathead, 1981 *'' Callostoma'' Macquart, 1840 *'' Callynthrophora'' Schiner, 1868 *'' Canariellum'' Strand, 1928 *'' Chalcochiton'' Loew, 1844 *'' Choristus'' Walker, 1852 *''

Chrysanthrax ''Chrysanthrax'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae. Species *'' Chrysanthrax adumbrata'' ( Coquillett, 1887) *'' Chrysanthrax albicomus'' Tabet & Hall, 1987 *'' Chrysanthrax altus'' (Tucker, 1907) *'' Chrysanthrax anna'' ( Coqu ...

, 1886 *'' Colossoptera'' Hull, 1973 *''

Comptosia ''Comptosia'' is a genus of bee flies (insects in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasi ...

'' Macquart, 1840 *'' Conomyza'' Hesse, 1956 *'' Cononedys'' Hermann, 1907 *'' Conophorina''

, 1920 *''

Conophorus ''Conophorus'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae. There are at least 16 described species in ''Conophorus'' in the United States, and 67 total worldwide. Species *'' C. atratulus'' ( Loew, 1872) *'' C. auratus'' Priddy, 1954 *'' C ...

'' Meigen, 1803 *'' Corsomyza'' Wiedemann, 1820 *'' Coryprosopa'' Hesse, 1956 *'' Crocidium'' Loew, 1860 *'' Cryomyia'' Hull, 1973 *'' Cyananthrax'' Painter, 1959 *'' Cyllenia'' Latreille, 1802 *'' Cyrtomyia'' Bigot, 1892 *'' Cytherea''

Fabricius Fabricius ( la, smith, german: Schmied, Schmidt) is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *people from the Ancient Roman gens Fabricia: **Gaius Fabricius Luscinus, the first of the Fabricii to move to Rome * Johann Goldsmid (1587� ...

, 1794 *'' Cyx'' Evenhuis, 1993 *'' Dasypalpus'' Macquart, 1840 *'' Desmatomyia'' Williston, 1895 *''

Desmatoneura ''Desmatoneura'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae. There are about 18 described species in ''Desmatoneura''. Species These 18 species belong to the genus ''Desmatoneura'': * '' Desmatoneura aegypticola'' (Paramonov, 1935) * '' D ...

'' Williston, 1895 *'' Deusopora'' Hull, 1971 *'' Diatropomma'' Bowden, 1962 *''

Dicranoclista ''Dicranoclista'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae. There are at least two described species in ''Dicranoclista''. Species , four species are recognized: * '' Dicranoclista auliae'' — Sudan * '' Dicranoclista fasciata'' Johnso ...

'' Bezzi, 1924 *''

Diochanthrax ''Diochanthrax'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoids o ...

'' Hall, 1975 *''

, 1877 *'' Diplocampta'' Schiner, 1868 *'' Dischistus'' Loew, 1855 *'' Docidomyia'' White, 1916 *'' Doddosia''

, 1934 *'' Dolichomyia'' Wiedemann, 1830 *'' Doliogethys'' Hesse, 1938 *'' Eclimus'' Loew, 1844 *'' Edmundiella''

, 1915 *'' Efflatounia'' Bezzi, 1925 *'' Enica'' Macquart, 1834 *'' Epacmoides'' Hesse, 1956 *'' Epacmus''

, 1886 *'' Eremyia'' Greathead, 1996\ *'' Eristalopsis'' Evenhuis, 1985 *''

Eucessia ''Eucessia'' is a genus of bee flies (Insect, insects in the Family (biology), family Bombyliidae). There is at least one described species in ''Eucessia'', ''E. rubens''. References Further reading

* Bombyliidae genera Articles ...

, 1886 *''

Euchariomyia ''Euchariomyia'' is a monotypic genus of the subfamily Bombyliinae. The only species is ''Euchariomyia dives''. Taxonomy ''Euchariomyia dives'' is described by French entomologist Jacques-Marie-Frangile Bigot in 1888. This species is highly vari ...

'' Bigot, 1888 *'' Euprepina'' Hull, 1971 *'' Eurycarenus'' Loew, 1860 *'' Euryphthiria'' Evenhuis, 1986 *'' Eusurbus'' Roberts, 1929 *'' Exechohypopion'' Evenhuis, 1991 *'' Exepacmus''

, 1894 *''

Exhyalanthrax ''Exhyalanthrax'' is a small genus of Bombyliidae, bombyliid Fly, flies. Bombyliids are commonly known as ''bee flies'' due to their resemblance to bees. ''Exhyalanthrax'' are found in the Afrotropical realm and the Palearctic realm. Exhyalanthra ...

, 1916 *''

Exoprosopa ''Exoprosopa'' is a large cosmopolitan genus of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae (bee-flies), with over 325 described species. The genus parasitizes a wide range of insects, including locust and larvae of wasps. Description This genu ...

'' Macquart, 1840 *'' Geminaria''

, 1894 *'' Geron'' Meigen, 1820 *'' Glaesamictus'' Hennig, 1966 *'' Gnumyia'' Bezzi, 1921 *'' Gonarthrus'' Bezzi, 1921 *'' Gyrocraspedum''

, 1913 *'' Hallidia'' Hull, 1970 *''

Hemipenthes ''Hemipenthes'' is a large genus of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae (bee-flies). There are many described species, distributed throughout the Holarctic realm. These are small to large robust flies with a body length of 5–14 mm. T ...

'' Loew, 1869 *'' Heteralonia'' Rondani, 1863 *''

Heterostylum ''Heterostylum'' is a genus of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae (bee-flies). There are 14 described species, distributed throughout the Americas. These are robust and very hairy flies with a body length of 10–15 mm. They can be di ...

'' Macquart, 1848 *''

Heterotropus ''Heterotropus'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoids ...

'' Loew, 1873 *''

Hyperalonia ''Hyperalonia'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoids of ...

'' Rondani, 1863 *'' Hyperusia'' Bezzi, 1921 *''

Inyo Inyo may refer to: Places California * Inyo County, California * Inyo National Forest, USA * The Inyo Mountains * The Mono–Inyo Craters Other uses * Japanese for yin and yang Yin and yang ( and ) is a Chinese philosophy, Chinese p ...

'' Hall & Evenhuis, 1987 *'' Isocnemus'' Bezzi, 1924 *''

Kapu Kapu may refer to: * Kapu (Hawaiian culture), a Hawaiian code of conduct * Kapu (caste), a social group of India * Kapu, Karnataka, a town in Karnataka, India ** Kapu Assembly constituency * Kapu, Arunachal Pradesh, a settlement in Tirap district, A ...

'' Lambkin & Yeates, 2003 *'' Karakumia'' Paramonov, 1927 *'' Laminanthrax'' Greathead, 1967 *'' Larrpana'' Lambkin & Yeates, 2003 *'' Laurella'' Hull, 1971 *'' Legnotomyia'' Bezzi, 1902 *''

Lepidanthrax ''Lepidanthrax'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae. There are at least 50 described species in ''Lepidanthrax''. Species *''Lepidanthrax actios'' Hall, 1976 *''Lepidanthrax agrestis'' (Daniel William Coquillett, Coquillett, 1887 ...

, 1886 *'' Lepidochlanus'' Hesse, 1938 *''

Lepidophora ''Lepidophora'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae. There are about nine described species in ''Lepidophora''. Species These nine species belong to the genus ''Lepidophora'': * '' Lepidophora aegeriiformis'' Westw. * '' Lepidophor ...

'' Westwood, 1835 *'' Ligyra''

Newman Newman is a surname of English origin and may refer to many people: The surname Newman is widespread in the core Anglosphere. A *Abram Newman (1736–1799), British grocer *Adrian Newman (disambiguation), multiple people *Al Newman (born 1960) ...

, 1841 *'' Litorhina'' Bowden, 1975 *''

Lomatia ''Lomatia'' is a genus of 12 species of evergreen flowering plants in the protea family Proteaceae. Within the family, they have been placed, alone, in their own subtribe, Lomatiinae according to Johnson & Briggs 1975 classification of the fam ...

'' Meigen, 1822 *''

Lordotus ''Lordotus'' is a genus of bee flies (insects in the family Bombyliidae). There are at least 30 described species in ''Lordotus''. Species These 30 species belong to the genus ''Lordotus'': * '' Lordotus abdominalis'' Johnson and Johnson, 1959 ...

'' Loew, 1863 *'' Macrocondyla'' Rondani, 1863 *'' Mallophthiria''

, 1930 *'' Mancia''

, 1886 *'' Mandella'' Evenhuis, 1983 *'' Mariobezzia''

, 1913 *''

Marleyimyia ''Marleyimyia'' is a genus of bee fly The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoids of other insects. Overview ...

'' Hesse, 1956 *'' Marmosoma'' White, 1916 *'' Megapalpus'' Macquart, 1834 *'' Megaphthiria'' Hall, 1976 *'' Melanderella'' Cockerell, 1909 *''

Meomyia ''Meomyia'' is a genus of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae (bee flies). Species * ''Meomyia albiceps ''Meomyia'' is a genus of fly, flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae (bee flies). Species * ''Meomyia albiceps'' (Macquart 1848) ...

'' Evenhuis, 1983 *'' Metacosmus''

, 1891 *'' Micomitra'' Bowden, 1964 *'' Munjua'' Lambkin & Yeates, 2003 *'' Muscatheres'' Evenhuis, 1986 *'' Muwarna'' Lambkin & Yeates, 2003 *'' Myonema'' Roberts, 1929 *'' Neacreotrichus'' Cockerell, 1917 *'' Nectaropota''

Philippi Philippi (; grc-gre, Φίλιπποι, ''Philippoi'') was a major Greek city northwest of the nearby island, Thasos. Its original name was Crenides ( grc-gre, Κρηνῖδες, ''Krenides'' "Fountains") after its establishment by Thasian colon ...

, 1865 *'' Neobombylodes'' Evenhuis, 1978 *''

Neodiplocampta ''Neodiplocampta'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae. There are about 17 described species in ''Neodiplocampta''. Species These 17 species belong to the genus ''Neodiplocampta'': * ''Neodiplocampta astrella'' Hull & Martin, 1974 ...

'' Curran, 1934 *'' Neodischistus'' Painter, 1933 *'' Neosardus'' Roberts, 1929 *'' Nomalonia'' Rondani, 1863 *'' Nothoschistus'' Bowden, 1985 *'' Notolomatia'' Greathead, 1998 *'' Oestranthrax'' Bezzi, 1921 *'' Oestrimyza'' Hull, 1973 *''

Ogcodocera ''Ogcodocera'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae. There are at least three described species in ''Ogcodocera''. Species These three species belong to the genus ''Ogcodocera'': * ''Ogcodocera analis'' (Williston, 1901) * ''Ogcodoce ...

'' Macquart, 1840 *''

Oligodranes ''Oligodranes'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae, the sole genus of the subfamily Oligodraninae. Species These three species belong to the genus ''Oligodranes'': * '' Oligodranes flavus'' Paramonov, 1929 * '' Oligodranes israeli ...

'' Loew, 1844 *'' Oncodosia''

, 1937 *''

Oniromyia ''Oniromyia'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae, the sole genus of the subfamily Oniromyiinae. There are at least two described species in ''Oniromyia''. Species These two species belong to the genus ''Oniromyia'': * '' Oniromyia ...

'' Bezzi, 1921 *'' Othniomyia'' Hesse, 1938 *'' Pachyanthrax'' François, 1964 *'' Pachysystropus'' Cockerell, 1909 *'' Palaeoamictus'' Meunier, 1916 *'' Palaeogeron'' Meunier, 1915 *'' Palintonus'' François, 1964 *'' Palirika'' Lambkin & Yeates, 2003 *''

Pantarbes ''Pantarbes'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae. There are about six described species in ''Pantarbes''. Species These six species belong to the genus ''Pantarbes'': * '' Pantarbes capito'' Osten Sacken, 1877 * '' Pantarbes earinu ...

, 1877 *'' Pantostomus'' Bezzi, 1921 *'' Paracorsomyza'' Hennig, 1966 *''

Paradiplocampta ''Paradiplocampta'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoid ...

'' Hall, 1975 *'' Parachistus'' Greathead, 1980 *'' Paracosmus''

, 1877 *'' Parageron'' Paramonov, 1929 *''

Paramonovius ''Paramonovius nightking'' is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae that is endemic to a restricted area of western Australia. It is the only member of the monotypic genus ''Paramonovius''. Based on morphology, it is the sister genus to ...

'' Li & Yeates, 2018 *'' Paranthrax'' Bigot, 1876 *'' Parasysteochus'' Hall, 1976 *'' Paratoxophora'' Engel, 1936 *''

Paravilla ''Paravilla'' is a genus of bee flies (insects in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasi ...

'' Painter, 1933 *'' Parisus'' Walker, 1852 *'' Perengueyimyia'' Bigot, 1886 *'' Petrorossia'' Bezzi, 1908 *'' Phthiria'' Meigen, 1803 *'' Pilosia'' Hull, 1973 *'' Pipunculopsis'' Bezzi, 1925 *'' Platamomyia'' Brèthes, 1925 *'' Plesiocera'' Macquart, 1840 *''

Poecilanthrax ''Poecilanthrax'' is a large, primarily Nearctic genus of fly, flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae (bee-flies). These are large to large robust flies with a body length of 8–14 mm. They have large elongate pictured wings, with 2 or ...

, 1886 *''

Poecilognathus ''Poecilognathus'' is a genus of bee flies (insects in the family Bombyliidae). There are at least 20 described species in ''Poecilognathus''. Species These 21 species belong to the genus ''Poecilognathus'': * '' Poecilognathus alterans'' (Wil ...

'' Jaennicke, 1867 *'' Praecytherea'' Théobald, 1937 *'' Prorachthes'' Loew, 1868 *'' Prorostoma'' Hesse, 1956 *'' Prothaplocnemis'' Bezzi, 1925 *'' Pseudopenthes'' Roberts, 1928 *'' Pteraulacodes'' Hesse, 1956 *'' Pteraulax'' Bezzi, 1921 *'' Pterobates'' Bezzi, 1921 *'' Pusilla'' Paramonov, 1954 *'' Pygocona'' Hull, 1973 *'' Relictiphthiria'' Evenhuis, 1986 *''

Rhynchanthrax ''Rhynchanthrax'' is a genus of bee flies (insects in the family Bombyliidae). There are about seven described species in ''Rhynchanthrax''. Species These seven species belong to the genus ''Rhynchanthrax'': * '' Rhynchanthrax capreus'' (Coquille ...

'' Painter, 1933 *'' Satyramoeba'' Sack, 1909 *'' Semiramis''

, 1913 *'' Semistoechus'' Hall, 1976 *'' Sericosoma'' Macquart, 1850 *'' Sericothrix'' Hall, 1976 *'' Sericusia''

, 1937 *''

Sinaia Sinaia () is a town and a mountain resort in Prahova County, Romania. It is situated in the historical region of Muntenia. The town was named after the Sinaia Monastery of 1695, around which it was built. The monastery, in turn, is named after t ...

, 1916 *'' Sisyromyia'' White, 1916 *'' Sisyrophanus'' Karsch, 1886 *'' Sosiomyia'' Bezzi, 1921 *''

Sparnopolius ''Sparnopolius'' is a genus of bee flies, insects in the family Bombyliidae. There are about 17 described species in ''Sparnopolius''. Species These 17 species belong to the genus ''Sparnopolius'': * ''Sparnopolius anomalus'' (Painter, 1940) * ...

'' Loew, 1855 *'' Sphenoidoptera'' Williston, 1901 *'' Spogostylum'' Macquart, 1840 *'' Staurostichus'' Hull, 1973 *'' Stomylomyia'' Bigot, 1888 *''

Stonyx ''Stonyx'' is a genus of bee flies, insects in the family Bombyliidae. There are about five described species in ''Stonyx''. Species These five species belong to the genus ''Stonyx'': * '' Stonyx clelia'' Osten Sacken, 1886 * '' Stonyx clotho'' ( ...

, 1886 *'' Synthesia'' Bezzi, 1921 *''

Systoechus ''Systoechus'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoids of ...

'' Loew, 1855 *''

Systropus ''Systropus'' is a genus of bee flies (insects in the family Bombyliidae). There are about 16 described species in ''Systropus''. Species *''Systropus ammophiloides, S. ammophiloides'' Charles Henry Tyler Townsend, Townsend, 1901 *''Systropus ang ...

'' Wiedemann, 1820 *''

Thevenetimyia ''Thevenetimyia'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoids ...

'' Bigot, 1875 *'' Thraxan'' Yeates & Lambkin, 1998 *''

, 1886 *'' Tillyardomyia'' Tonnoir, 1927 *'' Timiomyia'' Evenhuis, 1978 *'' Tithonomyia'' Evenhuis, 1984 *''

Tmemophlebia ''Tmemophlebia'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoids ...

'' Evenhuis, 1986 *'' Tomomyza'' Wiedemann, 1820 *'' Tovlinius'' Zaitzev, 1979 *'' Toxophora'' Meigen, 1803 *'' Triplasius'' Loew, 1855 *''

Triploechus ''Triploechus'' is a genus of bee flies, insects in the family Bombyliidae. There are about 10 described species in ''Triploechus''. Species These 10 species belong to the genus ''Triploechus'': * ''Triploechus angustipennis'' Edwards, 1937 * ''T ...

, 1937 *'' Turkmeniella'' Paramonov, 1940 *'' Usia'' Latreille, 1802 *'' Veribubo'' Evenhuis, 1978 *'' Verrallites'' Cockerell, 1913 *''

'' Lioy, 1864 *'' Villoestrus'' Paramonov, 1931 *'' Walkeromyia'' Paramonov, 1934 *'' Wurda'' Lambkin & Yeates, 2003 *''

Xenoprosopa ''Xenoprosopa'' is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoids o ...

'' Hesse, 1956 *'' Xenox'' Evenhuis, 1984 *'' Xerachistus'' Greathead, 1995 *'' Xeramoeba'' Hesse, 1956 *'' Ylasoia''

Speiser Speiser is a German and Yiddish surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Ambros Speiser (1922–2003), Swiss engineer and scientist *Andreas Speiser (1885–1970), Swiss mathematician *Elisabeth Speiser (born 1940), Swiss operatic sopra ...

, 1920 *'' Zaclava'' Hull, 1973 *'' Zinnomyia'' Hesse, 1955 *'' Zyxmyia'' Bowden, 1960

Gallery

Image:Unidentified Beeflies.jpg, Two species of unidentified beeflies from

Coimbatore Coimbatore, also spelt as Koyamputhur (), sometimes shortened as Kovai (), is one of the major metropolitan cities in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the banks of the Noyyal River and surrounded by the Western Ghats. Coimbato ...

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a States and union territories of India, state in southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of India ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

. Image:12Sep Ft Union National Monument 44-1.jpg, A bombyliid fly visiting a flower. Image:Bee Fly x 3 - 2012-4.jpg, Bee fly in

Hampshire Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants) is a ceremonial county, ceremonial and non-metropolitan county, non-metropolitan counties of England, county in western South East England on the coast of the English Channel. Home to two major English citi ...

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

conservatory . Image:FlowerBee2011.png, Bee fly landing on a flower Image:Bee fly feeding02.jpg, ''

'' sp. feeding Image:Bombyliid 7294.jpg, ''

'' on ''

Bidens laevis ''Bidens laevis'' is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae, daisy family known by the common names larger bur-marigold and smooth beggarticks. It is native to South America, Mexico, and the southern and eastern United States. It grows in ...

References

*Bowden, J.,1980 Family Bombyliidae. pp. 381–430. In R.W. Crosskey (ed.), ''Catalogue of the Diptera of the Afrotropical Region'', 1437 pp., London: British Museum (Natural History) *Engel, E.O., 1932-1937. ''Bombyliidae''. In: ''Die Fliegen der paläarktischen Region'' 4(3) ( Erwin Lindner, ed.): 1-619, pl. 1-15. E. Schweizerbart, Stuttgart.). Old and outdated, not easy to get and expensive but some of the only keys to taxa in the Palaearctic Region. *Greathead & Evenhuis (Greathead, D.J., & N.L. Evenhuis, 1997. Family Bombyliidae. In: ''Contributions to a manual of Palaearctic Diptera'' Volume 2 (L. Papp & B. Darvas, eds.): 487-512. Science Herald, Budapest.) provide a key to the Palaearctic genera and (may) give references to available generic revisions. * *Evenhuis, N.L. & Greathead, D.J. 1999. World catalog of bee flies (Diptera: Bombyliidae). Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, 756 pp
online
*Hull, F.M. 1973. ''Bee flies of the world. The genera of the family Bombyliidae''.Washington (Smithsonian Institution Press) 687 pp. Keys subfamilies, genera (many generic placements superseded by Evenhuis & Greathead, 1999). *Yeates, David K. 1994. ''The cladistics and classification of the Bombyliidae (Diptera: Asiloidea)''. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History ; no. 219, 191 pp.

External links

Image Gallery from Diptera.info

Bombyliidae
(Bee Flies) by David K. Yeates and Christine L. Lambkin in the Tree of Life web project. Consulted March 28, 2007.
Wing venation
{{Authority control Brachycera families Insects used as insect pest control agents Articles containing video clips Taxa named by Pierre André Latreille