Bomber Fly
Heterostylum robustum
This record describes Heterostylum robustum (species). Recorded family: Bombyliidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
♀ ♂
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Asiloidea
- Family
- Bombyliidae (Bee Flies)
- Subfamily
- Bombyliinae
- Tribe
- Bombyliini
- Genus
- Heterostylum
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
w. NA (OR-CA to AB-KS-TX + GA) to Mexico; NC (BG data); Bohart (1960) states: The recorded geographic range of Heterostylum robustum includes the Pacific and Rocky Mountain States as well as the southern Great Plains, the lower Mississippi Valley, and Florida...
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults take nectar.
Life History
Parasitoids of hymenoptera, especially Halictid bees. Recorded hosts: Nomia (Halictidae), Ammophila (Sphecidae). Often associated with the alkali bee, Nomia melanderi (Bohart, 1960). Mating pair:
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Heterostylum robustum ( Osten-Sacken 1877)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Heterostylum robustum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Bomber Fly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , v belov , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Bomber Fly
How big is Bomber Fly?
11-12 mm (Osten-Sacken, 1877)
How do you identify Bomber Fly?
♀ ♂
Where is Bomber Fly found?
Range: w. NA (OR-CA to AB-KS-TX + GA) to Mexico; NC (BG data); Bohart (1960) states: The recorded geographic range of Heterostylum robustum includes the Pacific and Rocky Mountain States as well as the southern Great Plains, the lower Mississippi Valley, and Florida...
What does Bomber Fly eat?
The diet of the Bomber Fly includes Adults take nectar..
What is the life cycle of a Bomber Fly?
Parasitoids of hymenoptera, especially Halictid bees. Recorded hosts: Nomia (Halictidae), Ammophila (Sphecidae). Often associated with the alkali bee, Nomia melanderi (Bohart, 1960). Mating pair: