| Mallophora fautrix | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Asilidae |
| Genus: | Mallophora |
| Species: | M. fautrix |
| Binomial name | |
| Mallophora fautrix Osten Sacken, 1887 | |
Mallophora fautrix is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the golden-tailed bee bandit or bee killer robber fly.
An adult M. fautrix is typically in the range of 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) long, with brown wings and a black thorax. The body is otherwise covered with hairs in a pattern of black, white, and yellow that resembles workers of the bumble bee species Bombus sonorus. Male and female adults are similar in appearance.
Carl Robert Osten-Sacken formally described M. fautrix in 1887, selecting for it a species epithet that is Latin for "patroness or protector."
M. fautrix is found in Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is the only member of genus Mallophora found in California.
The bee killer robber fly perches in wait for the approach of a suitable prey insect. It eats honey bees, wasps, and other arthropods of similar size.
Eggs of M. fautrix are laid in the ground.
Media related to Mallophora fautrix at Wikimedia Commons