Milesia (fly)
Encyclopedia
Milesia is a genus
of very large hoverflies
, which mimic social wasps. For example, the European species Milesia crabroniformis
is a convincing mimic of the hornet
species Vespa crabro.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of very large hoverflies
Hoverfly
Hoverflies, sometimes called flower flies or syrphid flies, make up the insect family Syrphidae. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae eat a wide range of foods...
, which mimic social wasps. For example, the European species Milesia crabroniformis
Milesia crabroniformis
Milesia crabroniformis is a species of 'Flower Flies' or hoverflies belonging to the family Syrphidae subfamily Eristalinae.This species is mainly present in Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, in the Near East and in North Africa. These rather uncommon hoverflies are the...
is a convincing mimic of the hornet
Hornet
Hornets are the largest eusocial wasps; some species can reach up to in length. The true hornets make up the genus Vespa and are distinguished from other vespines by the width of the vertex , which is proportionally larger in Vespa and by the anteriorly rounded gasters .- Life cycle :In...
species Vespa crabro.