The Tiger Bee Fly

The Tiger Bee Fly

It's a bee! No, wait... it's a fly! Do you see the distinctive tiger pattern on its wings? Oh, I get it! It's a tiger bee fly. Now it all makes sense. 

I spotted this interesting looking insect earlier this morning, just in time for today's blog. I did have something else in mind to showcase, however, I thought this to be a bit more unique. After seeing those three features in one insect, I just had to post about it. 

Listed below are some facts you may find interesting.

• The tiger bee fly belongs to the family Bombyliidae (bee flies) 

• The female of this species likes to hang around wooden fences, because carpenter bees drill holes or burrows in to the wood to make a nest and lay their eggs. 

• The tiger bee fly discovers these nest and lays her eggs in the entrance of the carpenters bees nest. 

• Later on the pupae of the tiger bee fly feasts on the carpenter bees pupae (nature's way of extermination). 

• Though it's not officially known what the adult tiger bee fly eats, you may find it near muddy areas lapping up fluids or nectar from flowers. 

• They like open meadow spaces 

• You can find these beauties flying around mid July - September months.

I find it exciting to photograph the intricate details of both the common and uncommon creatures of this world. I hope you enjoy my images and the facts that go along with them.