Knowledgebase

Odd looking bee? #398181

Asked May 06, 2017, 5:53 PM EDT

I've never seen a bee quite like this before. It's congregating on some exposed "hot" grass clipping in the process of decomposing.

(edit). I figured it out. It's a yellow dung fly

Hancock County Iowa

Expert Response

Hello:

Thank you for your message with attached image and for contacting Iowa State University. You are correct; the insects in your photos are dung flies. Flies have two wings; bees have four wings and long antennae.

Dung flies are predators that feed on other insects. The larvae live in dung and other decaying organic matter.

Here is a link to more information: http://bugguide.net/node/view/8320

Thanks.

Donald Lewis

Donald R. Lewis Replied May 12, 2017, 12:03 PM EDT

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