This colorful fly is approximately 3/4 inch (20 mm) in length. The combination of bright yellow and brown spots and stripes mimic a wasp, probably a yellowjacket. The pattern of yellow and brown pigment in the eyes hides the typical one-color fly eyes. The abdomen is long and slender with brown and yellow bands. The antennae are short and brown.
Occasionally seen nectaring on flowers in the summer. The indvidual in photo 1 was photographed in early October in Child’s Hollow.
The genus Spilomyia includes 11 species north of Mexico. The adult flies extend their front legs to imitate the longer antennae of yellowjacket wasps (Photo 1). The larvae of the genus live in water-filled holes in trees.
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