An Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/18/2017). Determined by Ben Coulter/BugGuide.

View Record Details Photo by Steve Scholnick MBP List

An Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Frederick Co., Maryland (6/13/2018).

View Record Details Photo by Robert Warren MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Allegany Co., Maryland (6/26/2015). Verified by Ben Coulter/BugGuide.

View Record Details Photo by Jim Brighton MBP List

Mating Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Frederick Co., Maryland (6/14/2014). Determined by Herschel Raney/BugGuide.

View Record Details Photo by Mark Etheridge MBP List

An Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/21/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Steve Scholnick MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/20/2023). (c) Benjamin Burgunder, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>CC BY</a>). (Photo ID: 828170 - Psn: 45)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/20/2023). (c) Benjamin Burgunder, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Benjamin Burgunder via iNaturalist MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/19/2023). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 830862 - Psn: 45)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/19/2023). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/20/2024). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1050900 - Psn: 45)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/20/2024). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

An Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Carroll Co., Maryland (7/23/2013). Collected by Tim McMahon and photographed by Wayne Boo.

View Record Details Photo by USGS PWRC MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) kary, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1259004 - Psn: 52)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) kary, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by karyorelicta via iNaturalist MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Washington Co., Maryland (7/5/2021).

View Record Details Photo by Jim Moore MBP List

An Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Carroll Co., Maryland (7/23/2013). Collected by Tim McMahon and photographed by Wayne Boo.

View Record Details Photo by USGS PWRC MBP List

A female Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/14/2008). Verified by Herschel Raney/BugGuide.

View Record Details Photo by Stephen Schueman MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Carroll Co., Maryland (6/13/2020). (c) Nathaniel Schwartz, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/'>CC BY-NC-ND</a>). (Photo ID: 173299 - Psn: 55)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Carroll Co., Maryland (6/13/2020). (c) Nathaniel Schwartz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND).

View Record Details Photo by Nathaniel Schwartz via iNaturalist MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) romainclem, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 302739 - Psn: 55)

View Record Details Photo by romainclem via iNaturalist MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Washington Co., Maryland (6/1/2019). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 761753 - Psn: 55)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Washington Co., Maryland (6/1/2019). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

A female Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/14/2008). Verified by Herschel Raney/BugGuide.

View Record Details Photo by Stephen Schueman MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Charles Co., Maryland (5/31/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Steve Collins MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/6/2020). (c) Jane Hartman, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 202144 - Psn: 62)

View Record Details Photo by Jane Hartman MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria with prey in Baltimore City, Maryland (5/13/2009). Determined by Herschel Raney/BugGuide.

View Record Details Photo by Thomas Wilson MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria with prey in Baltimore City, Maryland (5/29/2015). Verified by Ben Coulter/BugGuide.

View Record Details Photo by Thomas Wilson MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/6/2020). (c) Jane Hartman, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 202145 - Psn: 65)

View Record Details Photo by Jane Hartman MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/11/2023). (c) Zachary Dankowicz, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 828163 - Psn: 65)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/11/2023). (c) Zachary Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Zachary Dankowicz via iNaturalist MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/28/2020). (c) spyingnaturalist, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 185894 - Psn: 75)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/28/2020). (c) spyingnaturalist, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by spyingnaturalist via iNaturalist MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/28/2020). (c) spyingnaturalist, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by spyingnaturalist via iNaturalist MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Carroll Co., Maryland (5/25/2024). (c) tomfeild, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1146168 - Psn: 76)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Carroll Co., Maryland (5/25/2024). (c) tomfeild, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Tom Feild MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Frederick Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Robert Warren, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/'>CC BY-NC-ND</a>). (Photo ID: 599641 - Psn: 100)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Frederick Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Robert Warren, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND).

View Record Details Photo by Robert Warren MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria mating in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/20/2024). (c) maragay, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1021734 - Psn: 122)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria mating in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/20/2024). (c) maragay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by maragay via iNaturalist MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/4/2025). (c) pmhabicht, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1277535 - Psn: 168)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/4/2025). (c) pmhabicht, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by pmhabicht via iNaturalist MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/17/2021). (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>CC BY</a>). (Photo ID: 381018 - Psn: 200)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/17/2021). (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Katja Schulz via iNaturalist MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/17/2021). (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Katja Schulz via iNaturalist MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/17/2021). (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Katja Schulz via iNaturalist MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Washington Co., Maryland (5/27/2021). (c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 385663 - Psn: 200)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Washington Co., Maryland (5/27/2021). (c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Emilio Concari MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Kent Co., Maryland (6/6/2021). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 390815 - Psn: 254)

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Kent Co., Maryland (6/6/2021). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Pamela Cowart-Rickman MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Kent Co., Maryland (6/6/2021). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Pamela Cowart-Rickman MBP List

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Kent Co., Maryland (6/6/2021). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Pamela Cowart-Rickman MBP List

Map Snapshot

123 Records

GA AL WA FR CL MO HO BA BC HA CE PG AA CV CH SM KE QA CN TA DO WI SO WO

Status

Laphria thoracica is one of the most common species of Laphria in this region. L. thoracica is quite widespread in deciduous forests, and can often be located haunting sunlit vegetation and edge habitats from mid-May to August. Territorial males wait for females on low plants near large rotting hardwood logs on the forest floor. The abdomen color varies from completely black to fully-banded with yellow on the base of the abdomen, with many intermediates between the two extremes. The different forms are likely mimetic of different species of Bombus, and the prevalence of a given form seems to vary regionally. This is one of the best bee mimics in the genus.

Seasonality Summary

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Resources

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Citations

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Use of media featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.

An Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/18/2017). Determined by Ben Coulter/BugGuide. View Record Details Media by Steve Scholnick.

An Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Frederick Co., Maryland (6/13/2018). View Record Details Media by Robert Warren.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Allegany Co., Maryland (6/26/2015). Verified by Ben Coulter/BugGuide. View Record Details Media by Jim Brighton.

Mating Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Frederick Co., Maryland (6/14/2014). Determined by Herschel Raney/BugGuide. View Record Details Media by Mark Etheridge.

An Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/21/2015). View Record Details Media by Steve Scholnick.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/20/2023). (c) Benjamin Burgunder, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by Benjamin Burgunder via iNaturalist.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/19/2023). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/20/2024). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

An Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Carroll Co., Maryland (7/23/2013). Collected by Tim McMahon and photographed by Wayne Boo. View Record Details Media by USGS PWRC.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) kary, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by karyorelicta via iNaturalist.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Washington Co., Maryland (7/5/2021). View Record Details Media by Jim Moore.

An Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Carroll Co., Maryland (7/23/2013). Collected by Tim McMahon and photographed by Wayne Boo. View Record Details Media by USGS PWRC.

A female Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/14/2008). Verified by Herschel Raney/BugGuide. View Record Details Media by Stephen Schueman.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Carroll Co., Maryland (6/13/2020). (c) Nathaniel Schwartz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND). View Record Details Media by Nathaniel Schwartz via iNaturalist.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Washington Co., Maryland (6/1/2019). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

A female Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/14/2008). Verified by Herschel Raney/BugGuide. View Record Details Media by Stephen Schueman.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Charles Co., Maryland (5/31/2015). View Record Details Media by Steve Collins.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria with prey in Baltimore City, Maryland (5/13/2009). Determined by Herschel Raney/BugGuide. View Record Details Media by Thomas Wilson.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria with prey in Baltimore City, Maryland (5/29/2015). Verified by Ben Coulter/BugGuide. View Record Details Media by Thomas Wilson.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/11/2023). (c) Zachary Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Zachary Dankowicz via iNaturalist.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/28/2020). (c) spyingnaturalist, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by spyingnaturalist via iNaturalist.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Carroll Co., Maryland (5/25/2024). (c) tomfeild, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Tom Feild.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Frederick Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Robert Warren, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND). View Record Details Media by Robert Warren.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria mating in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/20/2024). (c) maragay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by maragay via iNaturalist.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/4/2025). (c) pmhabicht, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by pmhabicht via iNaturalist.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/17/2021). (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by Katja Schulz via iNaturalist.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Washington Co., Maryland (5/27/2021). (c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Emilio Concari.

Eastern Yellow-backed Laphria in Kent Co., Maryland (6/6/2021). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Pamela Cowart-Rickman.