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Species Details

Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

SeasonalityAdult specimens have been collected from late April to mid-May, with one apparently collected in late February. Identification16-22 mm long, 40-50 mm wingspan. Anterior half of wings dark brown and opaque, posterior half transparent. Hair exceptionally dense with orange tint. Characteristics shared with other Bombylius species include a slender first antennal segment, long scattered bristly hairs, holoptic males, conspicuously bristled hind femora, and a distinct intercalary vein (Hull 1973).
Scientific Name Bombylius major Habitat Arid regions with loose soil of the type frequented by ground-nesting bees. Seasonality Adult specimens have been collected from late April to mid-May, with one apparently collected in late February. Identification
16-22 mm long, 40-50 mm wingspan. Anterior half of wings dark brown and opaque, posterior half transparent. Hair exceptionally dense with orange tint. Characteristics shared with other Bombylius species include a…
16-22 mm long, 40-50 mm wingspan. Anterior half of wings dark brown and opaque, posterior half transparent. Hair exceptionally dense with orange tint. Characteristics shared with other Bombylius species include a slender first antennal segment, long scattered bristly hairs, holoptic males, conspicuously bristled hind femora, and a distinct intercalary vein (Hull 1973).
Life History
Very little species-specific information available. The general bombyliid life cycle is described in Marshall (2006). Females coat eggs with a sticky substance in order to gather a protective layer of soil when they…
Very little species-specific information available. The general bombyliid life cycle is described in Marshall (2006). Females coat eggs with a sticky substance in order to gather a protective layer of soil when they are dropped into burrows of potential hosts. First instar larvae actively penetrate host nests, then molt into sedentary ectoparasitoids, a phenomenon known as hypermetamorphosis. Pupae are equipped with rigid ornamentation to assist escape from the burrow. Adults resemble bees as a deterrent against predators, and imitate them behaviourally and functionally by feeding on nectar and spreading pollen.
Conservation No specific information could be found. It can be assumed that as parasitoids, the success of the species is dependent on the success of the host or hosts. Diet Info Larvae parasitoids of digging bees, particularly Andrena species (Dufour 1858, Chapman 1878, Bischoff 2003). Adults feed on nectar (Hull 1973). Range Nearctic (Evenhuis & Greathead 1999).

Citation

Page Citation for Bombylius major

Page Citation

"Species Details - Bombylius major, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-5942/9-105702. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

References

Specimen Information

There are 14 specimens of this Species.

14 results plotted on map in 6 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM93752 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Sudbury Collected ByEriksson, A. W. E. Date Collected1939-06-03

UASM93754 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Sudbury

UASM93755 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByMason, W. R. M. Date Collected1946-02-28

UASM93756 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByStrickland, E. H. Date Collected1937-05-02

UASM93757 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByStrickland, E. H. Date Collected1937-05-03

UASM93758 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByStrickland, E. H. Date Collected1937-05-04

UASM93759 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wabamun Collected ByStrickland, E. H. Date Collected1947-05-01

UASM93760 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByMason, W. R. M. Date Collected1946-04-28

UASM93761 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wabamun Collected ByStrickland, E. H. Date Collected1947-05-01

UASM93762 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wabamun Collected ByStrickland, E. H. Date Collected1924-05-11

UASM93763 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected BySalt, R. W. Date Collected1930-04-27

UASM93764 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winterburn Collected ByHocking, B. Date Collected1958-05-14

UASM93767 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Oliver Collected ByGarrett, C. B. Date Collected1923-04-27

BIRD36221 - Bombylius major

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2010-05-16

Adult Seasonal Distribution