Robber Fly; Mosca Asesina

Description:

Robber fly after trapping a small insect. There are 7,100 species of robber fly or Asilidae known throughout the world. In Spain there are 33 species in the Machimus genus, so it is very difficult to identified the species unambiguously. It feeds on insect up to its same size (bees, flies, wasps) and even bigger (butterflies, moths) injecting them its own gastric fluids and absorbing the liquefied mass left inside their bodies. They fly very well and attack their preys when at rest.

Habitat:

Riverine forest. Mediterranean forest. Parque Nacional de Monfragüe.

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/250 sec.; f/32; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: -2 EV. Focal Length: 90.0 mm. No flash fired