Beefly by durleybeachbum

Photography • Insects • posted on Mar 24, 2015

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Description

Bombylius major Bombylius major larvae parasitise beetle larvae as well as the brood of solitary wasps and bees - another reason for its name. The female has been seen to flick her eggs mid-air into the ground bees’ and wasps’ nests.

Comments (15)

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Katraz

4:45PM | Tue, 24 March 2015

Nice shot and what a strange bug.

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Faemike55

4:48PM | Tue, 24 March 2015

weird to say the least both looking and its habits

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rangeriderrichard

5:01PM | Tue, 24 March 2015

Great capture, creepy bug!

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jendellas

6:31PM | Tue, 24 March 2015

Looks most odd.

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MrsRatbag

8:36PM | Tue, 24 March 2015

Slightly sinister-looking creature...

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wysiwig

11:40PM | Tue, 24 March 2015

I mistook the title to mean BEEF-LY, so I was expecting a steak. I have never heard of this creature but it does engender mixed feelings. A nice catch.

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giulband

2:02AM | Wed, 25 March 2015

Well captured !!

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Chipka

3:01AM | Wed, 25 March 2015

I didn't know they had periscopes! What a specimen...rather gorgeous in that "I refuse to shave" sort of way. Gorgeous wing patterns, and since I'm not actually on the menu, I can really appreciate the beauty of this critter...a bit like a botfly, really...they're averse to shaving as well, but I think that's where the similarity stops, though they do seem to possess similar egg-propelling habits. Actually botflies simply catch mosquitoes, mid air, and then attach their heat-seeking eggs while apparently NOT disturbing the mosquito. That takes skill, but I think it is definitely challenged by egg-flicking! I'm impressed. I'm glad you captured this unexpected beauty. Just look at those wings!

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