Laphria sadales Walker 1849

Conservation is not a concern for Laphria sadales.

Adults are found June through July, and possibly earlier in the southern portion of the range.

Widespread. Adults have been documented from Alberta to California and Colorado, and as far east as Connecticut and New Hampshire (McAtee 1919; Adisoemarto 1967).

Medium sized; 8-12 mm in length. Body is black and apparently bare (with no significant pubescence), giving a slender appearance. Abdomen is slender and black, and legs are orange to red, except coxae and tarsi which are black. Legs are mostly bare, and are relatively delicate. Compared to most Laphria, which are bee-mimics and large, robust predators, Laphria sadales is one of the less impressive flies of the genus. Antennae are very small, and the setae of the mystax (hairs surrounding the mouthparts) and surrounding mane are relatively short and inconspicuous compared to other species. The hypopharynx is also small relative to other species in the genus Laphria. Sexual dimorphism is slight, with males having slightly paler abdomens and golden abdominal piles (clumps of hairs; compared to black abdominal piles in females). This species is often confused with L. xanthippe (Williston), but can be distinguished by the entirely black abdomen and red legs (McAtee 1919; Adisoemarto 1967).

Open glades within boreal forests (spruce); generally associated with montane and subalpine regions. Occasionally found in open grasslands (Cannings 1994, 1997).

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