Hyperechia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hyperechia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Hyperechia xylocopiformis from India | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Asilidae |
| Subfamily: | Laphriinae |
| Genus: | Hyperechia Schiner, 1866 |
| Type species | |
| Laphria xylocopiformis Walker, 1849 | |
Hyperechia is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae. They appear large, stout and with legs covered in bristles and appear like carpenter bees in the genus Xylocopa and the resemblance is considered as a case of aggressive mimicry, providing protection from predators. The larvae of the fly feed on the larvae of Xylocopa within their cavity nests in wood.[1] They are mainly found in the African and Madagascan region with about 15 species and two species in Asia.[2][3]
