Anthrax anthrax - a beefly

Scientific Name: Anthrax anthrax.

English Name: None, a beefly.

French Name: Aucune, une bombyle.

5 Key Characters:

• very dark body.
• dark part of wing very extensive.
• short proboscis.
• fairly large for a beefly (body length 10 mm)
• sun loving.
  

Lookalikes: Hemipenthes morio, which has a distinctive and clear zigzag edge to the dark patch on the wings.

Habitat: Full sun.

Flight Period: May-June-July-August-September.

Status: Widespread but not particularly common. A parasite of solitary bees.

Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:
All photos will enlarge in a new window if you click on them.