Species Details
Laphria vultur
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
SeasonalityAdults have been found from late May to late July.
IdentificationMedium-large flies, 20 mm in length. Laphria vultur is robust-looking with a general gold/orange coloration, due to copious amounts of reddish-orange hair (pubescence) covering the entirety of the head, thorax, and abdomen. The pubescence of other species in the genus Laphria is generally less distinct and sparser. Pubescence is most intense on the abdomen and face, with the mystax (hairs surrounding the mouthparts) and mane (surrounding the hypopharynx) slightly lighter in color. Long raptorial legs are covered in moderately thick black and reddish-orange pubescence, with long claws at the end of the tarsi for capturing and subduing prey (McAtee 1919; Adisoemarto 1967)
Scientific Name
Laphria vultur
Habitat
Open glades within montane and Cordilleran forests of western North America; generally mixed deciduous/coniferous. Occasionally found in open grasslands (Cannings 1994, 1997).
Seasonality
Adults have been found from late May to late July.
Identification
Medium-large flies, 20 mm in length. Laphria vultur is robust-looking with a general gold/orange coloration, due to copious amounts of reddish-orange hair (pubescence) covering the entirety of the head, thorax, and…
Medium-large flies, 20 mm in length. Laphria vultur is robust-looking with a general gold/orange coloration, due to copious amounts of reddish-orange hair (pubescence) covering the entirety of the head, thorax, and abdomen. The pubescence of other species in the genus Laphria is generally less distinct and sparser. Pubescence is most intense on the abdomen and face, with the mystax (hairs surrounding the mouthparts) and mane (surrounding the hypopharynx) slightly lighter in color. Long raptorial legs are covered in moderately thick black and reddish-orange pubescence, with long claws at the end of the tarsi for capturing and subduing prey (McAtee 1919; Adisoemarto 1967)
Life History
See
genus page.
Conservation
The conservation of Laphria vultur is not a concern.
Diet Info
See
genus page.
Range
Laphria vultur is found from southern British Columbia to California, and east to Mississippi (McAtee 1919; Adisoemarto 1967; Cannings 1994).
Citation
Page Citation for Laphria vultur
Page Citation
"Species Details - Laphria vultur, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-33850. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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 is 1 specimen of this Species.
UASM201996 - Laphria vultur
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Washington, Lewis county, Packwood Lake
Collected ByBonn, A. E.
Date Collected1932-04-04