wasp-like falsehorn (Temnostoma alternans) female at Cardinal Marsh IA 653A7092
This wasp-like falsehorn is cousin to the black-spotted falsehorn (Temnostoma excentrica) that I've previously posted to Flickr but there are some minor differences in the two species. One thing they both have in common besides having basic wasp colors is the way they like to wave those long black front legs in front of their face to look like wasp antennae since their own antennae are just tiny orange blobs. These big bulky flies pose no danger to people since they have no stinger and only drink flower nectar. Females lay eggs in rotting wood and their larvae eat that decaying wood for their food source. This particular fly proved to be the first record of a wasp-like falsehorn reported to BugGuide - a bible for insect enthusiasts here in the States - from Iowa.
wasp-like falsehorn (Temnostoma alternans) female at Cardinal Marsh IA 653A7092
This wasp-like falsehorn is cousin to the black-spotted falsehorn (Temnostoma excentrica) that I've previously posted to Flickr but there are some minor differences in the two species. One thing they both have in common besides having basic wasp colors is the way they like to wave those long black front legs in front of their face to look like wasp antennae since their own antennae are just tiny orange blobs. These big bulky flies pose no danger to people since they have no stinger and only drink flower nectar. Females lay eggs in rotting wood and their larvae eat that decaying wood for their food source. This particular fly proved to be the first record of a wasp-like falsehorn reported to BugGuide - a bible for insect enthusiasts here in the States - from Iowa.