Laphria affinus. And what a merry chase it was. This is the difficult fall Laphria species. Difficult as in hard to find and hard to catch. Norm has been after one in NE Arkansas that shows up on the same log every November. It eluded him every time. At that time of year it can only be this species. He has now photographed (see below) and verified a colony of this species at Craighead Forest Park. And I have found them in my own personal pine trees in Faulkner county on my land. This one showed up at the Seven Hollows trail in Petit Jean in late September along with three others I saw on this same day. We now have them in five counties in the state. Mostly these occur east of us. And may be more common in those areas.

Same individual. New perch. Note the full yellow hair covering the front and middle legs and the patches of yellow on the last. This may be enough to identify this species for you. If finding a Laphria in October isn't enough for you. Note also the all dark abdomen which is very reflective and shiny. This habitat is the same habitat in Petit Jean that has Laphria cinerea and Laphria saffrana in spring. Unclear whether this is reproducible relation between these species.

Same individual again. As close as I got. Slight angle change. Note also the dusky mystax and facial hair. And the long luxuriant look of the thoracic hair. Distinct and very nice. This is the only prey I have ever seen taken by this fall robber. But small beetles are a favorite of the spring species as well.

From Norm's colony in Craighead forest park with their September and October flight times. This is a female ovipositing on a downed pine trunk. They are very tied to pine habitats. Norm has seen the males staking out the pines and nabbing the females in the same area.

And also from Norm's pet colony and also ovipositing on a downed pine trunk.