The Kite Robber Fly (Laphria thoracica) is a large, striking robber fly that mimics a bumblebee, with dense golden-yellow thoracic hair and a black abdomen. It perches on logs and stumps in sunny conifer clearings, launching ambush attacks on visiting beetles, bees, and other large insects. Its bumblebee disguise may help it approach prey more easily.
Best time to see a Kite Robber Fly
The best time to see a Kite Robber Fly is June, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,601 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Kite Robber Fly? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Kite Robber Fly sightings near you
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