286. Laphria columbica - a robberfly

This genera of robberflies, Laphria, are convincing bumblebee mimics. This species is apparently thought to be a mimic of Bombus vosnesenskii (Yellow-faced Bumble Bee #158). I can see that. This species is found from Alaska to California. Laphria prey on other robberflies, beetles, bees and wasps. They have a sclerotized  proboscis that they  use to poke between beetle elytra to aid in feeding. This one here would have to watch that her mustache did not get in the way! 

The original description was published in J.K. Lord's  "The Naturalist in Vancouver Island and British Columbia",   in 1866. (written by Fred Walker). This book looks like a fun read, with the adventures that go along with being the naturalist to the " British Boundary Commission" and in the mid 1800's!