Odd looking bee? - Ask Extension
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 ...
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
(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
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