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Species Details
Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
SeasonalityAdults are found late may through July, and possibly earlier in the southern portion of the range.
IdentificationMedium to large, 10-20 mm in length. Laphria janus is a conspicuous bee-mimic which is generally robust, with highly-pubescent raptorial legs and an enlarged hypopharynx used in hunting. The hypopharynx of this species is surrounded by coarse white to yellow setae, referred to as a mystax. Antennae are stout and short, and eyes are large and conspicuous. Moderately course hairs (pubescence) are present and cover the posterior ends of the thorax and abdomen; L. janus is easily distinguished from other Laphria by the abdominal piles being orange and thoracic piles being yellowish. Fine pubescence can continue along the whole of the thorax and abdomen. Males have a slender abdomen, while females have a more rounded abdomen. (McAtee 1919; Adisoemarto 1967).
Scientific Name
Laphria janus
Habitat
Open glades within boreal, transitional, and Cordilleran forests. Frequently found in dry spruce forests and often in adjacent grasslands (Cannings 1994, 1997).
Seasonality
Adults are found late may through July, and possibly earlier in the southern portion of the range.
Identification
Medium to large, 10-20 mm in length. Laphria janus is a conspicuous bee-mimic which is generally robust, with highly-pubescent raptorial legs and an enlarged hypopharynx used in hunting. The hypopharynx of this…
Medium to large, 10-20 mm in length. Laphria janus is a conspicuous bee-mimic which is generally robust, with highly-pubescent raptorial legs and an enlarged hypopharynx used in hunting. The hypopharynx of this species is surrounded by coarse white to yellow setae, referred to as a mystax. Antennae are stout and short, and eyes are large and conspicuous. Moderately course hairs (pubescence) are present and cover the posterior ends of the thorax and abdomen; L. janus is easily distinguished from other Laphria by the abdominal piles being orange and thoracic piles being yellowish. Fine pubescence can continue along the whole of the thorax and abdomen. Males have a slender abdomen, while females have a more rounded abdomen. (McAtee 1919; Adisoemarto 1967).
Life History
See
genus page.
Conservation
Conservation is not of concern for Laphria janus.
Diet Info
See
genus page.
Range
Laphria janus is found from the southern Yukon to Ontario and Maine, extends south to New York and Michigan in the east, and Utah and Colorado in the west (Cannings 1994, 1997; Adisoemarto 1967).
Citation
Page Citation for Laphria janus
Page Citation
"Species Details - Laphria janus, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-33848/9-251737. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
References
Author
Cannings, R. A.
Title
Insects of the Yukon.
Publication Date
1997
Pages
637-662
Author
McAtee, W. L.
Title
Key to the nearctic species of the genus Laphria (Diptera: Asilidae).
Publication Date
1919
Series Title
The Ohio Journal of Science
Volume
19
Pages
143-173
Author
Cannings, R. A.
Title
Robber Flies (Diptera: Asilidae) new to Canada, British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories with notes on distribution and habitat.
Publication Date
1994
Series Title
Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia
Volume
91
Pages
19-26
Author
Adisoemarto, S.
Title
The Asilidae (Diptera) of Alberta.
Publication Date
1967
Series Title
Quaestiones Entomologicae
Volume
3
Pages
3-100
Specimen Information
There are 22 specimens of this Species.
UASM201964 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByStrickland, E. H.
Date Collected1950-06-16
UASM201965 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, North Saskatchewan River
Collected ByAdisoemarto, S.; Freitag, R.
Date Collected1962-05-22
UASM201966 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Gorge Creek
Collected ByHocking, D.
Date Collected1958-08-08
UASM201967 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bilby
Collected ByBryant, O.
Date Collected1924-06-11
UASM201968 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Washington, Pierce county, Mount Rainier National Park
Collected ByMartin, D.
Date Collected1932-08-24
UASM201969 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cross Lake Provincial Park, Steele Lake
Collected ByAdisoemarto, S.
Date Collected1964-07-22
UASM201970 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bilby
Collected ByBryant, O.
Date Collected1924-06-13
UASM201971 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bilby
Collected ByBryant, O.
Date Collected1924-06-23
UASM201972 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bilby
Collected ByBryant, O.
Date Collected1924-06-29
UASM201973 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByStrickland, E. H.
Date Collected1950-06-04
UASM201974 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Assineau River
Collected ByAdisoemarto, S.
Date Collected1964-07-24
UASM201975 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByStrickland, E. H.
Date Collected1941-07-22
UASM201976 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cross Lake Provincial Park, Steele Lake
Collected ByAdisoemarto, S.
Date Collected1964-07-20
UASM201977 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cross Lake Provincial Park, Steele Lake
Collected ByAdisoemarto, S.
Date Collected1964-07-20
UASM201978 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cross Lake Provincial Park, Steele Lake
Collected ByAdisoemarto, S.
Date Collected1964-07-20
UASM201979 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kinuso
Collected ByAdisoemarto, S.
Date Collected1964-07-25
UASM201980 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Assineau River
Collected ByAdisoemarto, S.
Date Collected1964-07-24
UASM201981 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kinuso
Collected ByAdisoemarto, S.
Date Collected1964-07-25
UASM201982 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Assineau River
Collected ByAdisoemarto, S.
Date Collected1964-07-24
UASM201983 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kinuso
Collected ByAdisoemarto, S.
Date Collected1964-07-25
UASM201984 - Laphria janus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, High Level
Collected ByAdisoemarto, S.
Date Collected1964-07-20