These robber flies are approximately 3/4 inch (20 mm) long. The face is covered with black hair. The eyes and antennae are also black. The thorax is covered with thick, blond hair. The first 3 segments of the abdomen are covered with blond hair and the rear section is black. The slender wings are clear brown. The legs are covered with black hairs.
These bee mimic flies are fairly common in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. They inhabit open forests and can be found hunting in areas of dappled sunlight.
There are about 63 species in the genus Laphria in North America. This robberfly is a bumble bee mimic. The adults are predacious on other insects, including other robber flies. They act like flycatchers as they wait from a perch for flying insects to pass by.
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