Robber fly

Description:

100th spotting :) Happy to spot this! Robber flies (Family Asilidae) comprise one of the largest, most abundant families of present day insects. These typically large, voracious predatory flies feed on a wide variety of insects, playing an important role in regulating many insect populations. All robber flies have stout, spiny legs, a dense moustache of bristles on the face (mystax), and 3 simple eyes (ocelli) in a characteristic depression between their two large compound eyes. The mystax helps protect the head and face when the fly encounters prey bent on defense. The antennae are short, 3-segmented, sometimes with a bristle-like structure called an arista.

Habitat:

There are over 7,000 species of robber flies world wide; nearly 1,000 in North America.

Notes:

Robber flies of this size (probably 30-35mm) do not fly so fast you cannot follow them .They have a low buzzing-rustling sound that greatly aids in pursuit. This is a truly awesome insect, and I relish each encounter I have with them. The short, strong proboscis is used to stab and inject victims with saliva containing neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes which paralyze and digest the insides; the fly then sucks the liquefied meal much like we vacuum up an ice cream soda through a straw. Many species have long, tapering abdomens, sometimes with a sword-like ovipositor. Others are fat-bodied bumble bee mimics; the effect is quite convincing. Take a close look at any insect that looks like a bumble bee if it's sitting on a leaf - chances are, it's a robber fly.