Bee Fly (Bombyliidae, Diptera) - maybe genus Paravilla?
This is a honeybee-size Bee Fly (order Bombyliidae, Diptera) on flaky sandstone near the FAA tower on East Camino Cielo road, about 3600 feet. Maybe it's genus Paravilla? Compare this photo by Alice Abelia at BugGuide. The coastal marine layer fog was still in the air, so the white balance is a little funky. It's an impressive fly, with pollen-covered legs and a frosted body. (East Camino Cielo, Santa Ynez Mountains, 25 May 2015)
Bee Fly (Bombyliidae, Diptera) - maybe genus Paravilla?
This is a honeybee-size Bee Fly (order Bombyliidae, Diptera) on flaky sandstone near the FAA tower on East Camino Cielo road, about 3600 feet. Maybe it's genus Paravilla? Compare this photo by Alice Abelia at BugGuide. The coastal marine layer fog was still in the air, so the white balance is a little funky. It's an impressive fly, with pollen-covered legs and a frosted body. (East Camino Cielo, Santa Ynez Mountains, 25 May 2015)