MALLOTA POSTICATA

Mallota posticata

SYRPHID FLY FAMILY (Syrphidae)

This bumble bee mimic is approximately 5/8 inch in length.  The eyes are large and dark red-brown with short yellow hairs (pilose).  The thorax and part of the abdomen are covered with thick, yellow hair.  In this species the first segment and part of the second segments (and sometimes the third abdominal segment) are  covered with hair.  The legs are black and shiny.  The femurs of the front legs have a fringe of yellow hairs.  The males have heavy thighs and bowed shins (tibia).  This fly was identified by a volunteer expert on the BugGuide website. 

This Syrphid fly can be seen in May and June.  This is a common fly in North America, but the status in Fontenelle Forest is unknown.  The individual shown here was photographed in late May.

There are 11 species of Mallota in North America.  The adults frequently visit flowers.  The larvae develop in water-filled holes in trees.  They have a tube-like breathing siphon at the tip of the tail.