Anthrax analis
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Anthrax analis, the black bee fly, is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. It can be found throughout North America, from the Yukon east to Quebec in Canada, the entire mainland United States, most of Mexico, and as far south as Costa Rica and Cuba. As an adult it is a pollinator, and as a larva it is a parasitoid of tiger beetles in the genus Cicindela, and likely also of solitary bees. It is variable in appearance, with the posterior half of the wings usually transparent, but in the eastern United States the wings may be entirely dark. The body itself is covered in black hair, but the tip of the abdomen usually has silvery scales.
Egg — The life cycle of Anthrax analis begins with the egg. After fertilization, the adult black bee fly lays its eggs on soil near the nests of tiger beetles, which their larvae will parasitize. These tiny, oval-shaped eggs are often camouflaged to blend in with the environment. The strategic placement of eggs ensures that once they hatch, the larvae will have direct access to their prey.
Larva — Upon hatching, the larvae resemble small worms, lacking wings and having soft bodies. They begin their parasitic behavior by invading... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toronto | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 2 | New York City | 🇺🇸 United States |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Black Bee Fly sighting in Toronto on a given day, based on 14 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 867th most-seen of the 1689 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
Any time of year
In every month with enough records, under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Black Bee Fly in Toronto on a given day, so our monthly data shows no clear season.
Yes
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Black Bee Fly sightings, Toronto has the highest daily chance: under 5%. Next come New York City (United States, under 5%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Black Bee Fly is recorded against all the insects logged in Toronto (14 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
