Milesiini

Genus Criorhina (Milesiini)

These large conspicuous bumblebee mimics are well represented in our region, with at least six species in the Salish Sea and three in the islands. A very similar genus, Criorprora, is distinguished by a visibly long dark snout, like a tapir. Criorhina lay eggs in wet, decaying woody debris around tree roots, while the adult

Genus Hadromyia (Milesiini)

The Hadromyia subgenus Chrysosomidia are stout and metallic-colored as their name suggests, and represented by at least two species in the Salish Sea. Like many other “wood flies” they prefer to live among shrubs and trees, often licking windblown pollen grains off leaves rather than visiting flowers. Little more is known of their ecology.

Criorhina nigripes, American Camp, San Juan Island

Genus Spilomyia (Milesiini)

Large, boldly marked mimics of the Vespula wasps (yellowjackets, baldfaced hornets), with distinctly patterned eyes and a Y-shaped pair of antennae. They often hold their forelegs forward, imitating the longer antennae of wasps. In some species, males lurk around flowers, waiting for females to visit. Only one species is documented in the Salish Sea and San Juan Islands.

Hadromyia crawfordi, Lopez Island

Genus Temnostoma (Milesiini)

These flies are Vespula mimics with bold yellow or white abdominal markings and relatively little hair on a dark metallic body. Four species are known in the Salish Sea, two of them in the San Juan and Gulf Islands. In common with other “wood flies”, larvae develop and feed in decaying woody debris. Males lurk around flowers and mate with visiting females. Female flies have been observed taking off to visit other flowers, dragging the males with them!

Temnostoma aequale, Iceberg Point,

Lopez Island