Hanging-Thief Robberfly

Description:

There isn't much on the Diogmites angustipennis. (( http://bugguide.net/node/view/22624 )) So I'll post about the Diogmites (( http://bugguide.net/node/view/4600 )) - A genus of medium-large, thin, robber flies. Usually reddish-brown with green eyes. Have long legs. Often hangs by legs from twig to consume prey. Some species are distinctively patterned, and can be identified in the field. Their range includes eastern and central North America. Seems to be more common in south, apparently absent from upper great plains, northeast? Genus is found in Central and South America as well.

Habitat:

Their habitat are woodlands and more open areas from mid-summer to early fall. July-September, sometimes November (various species, Georgia). July-September (D. misellus, D. crudelis, North Carolina). They are predatory on other insects, often other Asilidae as well as hymenoptera. Possibly somewhat nocturnal? (P. Coin has seen one under a light in North Carolina, and there is a report in the literature of nocturnal feeding.)

Notes:

My husband and I were walking along the Medina River when he saw this thing snatch this bee and we caught up with it.