Mottled bee-fly  (Thyridanthrax fenestratus)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Biology

There is strong evidence to suggest that the mottled bee-fly is a parasitoid of the sand wasp (Ammophila pubescens) or of the caterpillars gathered by the wasp for its larvae(3). This means that the bee-fly larvae develop inside either the larvae of the sand wasp or inside the caterpillars that the wasp collects; the host dies as a result of the development of the bee-fly. This is a 'thermophilous' (heat-loving) species, and occurs only in warm areas. Adults feed on nectar, so a source of flowers is essential (3).

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