This large, bee mimic robber fly can be as long as 2 inches (50 mm). It is covered with long, yellowish hair around the eyes and face. The beak is covered by a large, black tube-shaped sheath. The thorax is also covered with dense yellow hair. The first 2/3 of the abdomen is yellow with black bands. The last 1/3 is black and hairy. The eyes and antennae are black. The long legs are black with black hair. The wings are brown.
This robber fly is thought to be uncommon in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. It can be seen sitting on vegetation while hunting for passing insects from mid-June through July in wooded areas.
Laphria grossa and L. lata are virtually identical and are usually separated by geograpic location, the eastern species being L. grossa and the more western species being L. lata. Since Fontenelle Forest/Neale Woods are located in the center of the country we probably have both species here. They cannot be identified to species in the field. Some experts question whether these are actually two different species.
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