Laphria (fly)

Laphria is a genus described by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1803, belonging to the family Asilidae, subfamily Laphriinae.

This genus has a Holarctic distribution, occurring in Europe, Asia, and North America.

They prey on a variety of insects, including other robber flies, bees, wasps and beetles.

Like other asilids, they use their proboscis to penetrate the body of their prey and inject enzymes which dissolve the tissues.

Some have bee-mimicking markings with black and yellow stripes (like Laphria thoracica).