Comments for blackish Bee vs Fly (Tachinid fly - Belvosia borealis)
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blackish Bee vs Fly (Tachinid fly - Belvosia borealis)

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Tachinid fly
by: Moni

Ann
Would you please send us the site where you found out about this fly parasitizing dogwood sawfly. I still could not find it.
Thanks
Response
by: Melissa

Ann,
Thank you..I do not have any dogwood bushes around but Monarch caterpillars are present here...so maybe that is why it stuck around. Thank you for the info.

Melissa
Tachinid Fly
by: Ann

It feeds on Sawfly larvae (found on red-osier Dogwood shrubs) and will also parasitize Monarch caterpillars. I discovered this when searching for images of Sawfly larvae as my Dogwood shrubs are covered with white caterpillars.

Read more: http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/bee-vs-fly-tachinid-fly-belvosia-borealis-comment-form.html#ixzz0QqkeQjS9
Thank you
by: Melissa

Moni,
Thank you very much. Your right, there is not a lot of information about this fly. But now that I know what it is, I can search for more info. I am very relieved that it can not hurt me....I have a phobia of bees and the colors confused me. We have had a very very rainy season here so I do not know if that has anything to do with it appearing and hanging around for so long. Once again thank you for your help.
Tachinid fly - Belvosia borealis
by: Moni

Melissa
Your photo is of a fly called Belvosia borealis. It does not have a common name that I could find. In fact there is not a lot of information on this fly...especially for as large and colorful as it is!! These flies lay eggs on the host plants of their larval prey. The when the larva feeds on the plant it eats the eggs along with the plants. The fly larvae then grow and pupate inside the larval host, which is eventually killed. Could not find out what larva this fly feeds on, but perhaps you have some larva that it likes near your deck?!
It will not hurt you.

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