A Laphria thoracica shot from Bob Barber in Newton county. Big guys in the 15 to 20 mm range with black mystax and beard (that hair between the eyes and above the beak). Arriving in late spring after the Laphria flavicollis have peaked.

Same individual. Shot showing the yellow hair spilling down in front of the wing. Can't say if that orangish hair on the legs is characteristic or not. Very prominent here however. Norm Lavers thinks these are the best bumblebee mimics out there.

A Laphria thoracica from Perry county just above Toad Suck and the first I had ever personally seen. Note again the dark face and the apparently ever visible orange hairiness to the legs.