The Tiger Bee Fly

It's a bee! No, wait... it's a fly! Do you see the distinctive tiger pattern on its wings? Oh, I get it! It's a tiger bee fly. Now it all makes sense.

I spotted this interesting looking insect earlier this morning, just in time for today's blog. I did have something else in mind to showcase, however, I thought this to be a bit more unique. After seeing those three features in one insect, I just had to post about it.
Listed below are some facts you may find interesting.
• The tiger bee fly belongs to the family Bombyliidae (bee flies)
• The female of this species likes to hang around wooden fences, because carpenter bees drill holes or burrows in to the wood to make a nest and lay their eggs.
• The tiger bee fly discovers these nest and lays her eggs in the entrance of the carpenters bees nest.
• Later on the pupae of the tiger bee fly feasts on the carpenter bees pupae (nature's way of extermination).
• Though it's not officially known what the adult tiger bee fly eats, you may find it near muddy areas lapping up fluids or nectar from flowers.
• They like open meadow spaces
• You can find these beauties flying around mid July - September months.

I find it exciting to photograph the intricate details of both the common and uncommon creatures of this world. I hope you enjoy my images and the facts that go along with them.

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