Our insect of the week is Laphria thoracica Fabricius, 1805 [DIPTERA: Asilidae]. As you can see in this stacked photograph, it resembles a common eastern bumblebee (which it often eats). Although not common, it can be found in central Illinois from late May through July. Adults tend to be rather shy and try to avoid possible predators (such as entomologists and photographers).

Adults capture their prey in flight. They plunge their proboscis into the victim which they restrain with their large and spiny legs. They insert toxins and enzymes which rapidly liquify the muscles and organs of the prey. It then drinks its dinner using the same proboscis. Prey often includes bees and beetles. Larvae bore in moist, dead wood and feast on beetle larvae.

The adult shown here was collected by our former member, Gordon Adams, in 1969 (Peoria County).