About

The ferruginous beegrabber is one of the thick-headed flies, from the family Conopidae. Flies in this family are also known as beegrabbers and waspgrabbers, thanks to the unusual egg-laying strategy of females. They hang out around flowers, waiting for the right bee or wasp to appear. When they spot their target, they pounce and grab it – either on a flower or in mid-air. They lay an egg inside the target's abdomen, then let it go. When the egg hatches, it feeds on the insides of the host, eventually killing it and pupating in the dead husk.

Each species of thick-headed fly shows a preference for certain host species. The ferruginous beegrabber generally targets various bumblebees. It's one of the most common species of beegrabber, living in grasslands, woodlands, hedgerows and gardens. Look for it around flowers, either feeding on the plants or waiting for a passing bee.