Common Yellow Robber Fly

Description:

Common throughout Australia, Robber Flies are air hunters. They are also known as Assassin Flies and Bee Killers. They are medium to large size flies with large eyes and necked head, and are active predators. They feed on other insects and even on web weaving spiders. Each leg of the Robber Fly has a pair of strong claws to catch their prey before injecting a powerful neurotoxin with their mouthpart - a large pointed proboscis. Enzymes help to digest the meal and all that remains is the discarded exoskeleton. Most Robber Flies have a noticeable 'beard' of setae around the face. It's believed that they serve as protection to their face from damage by their prey. Their thorax and legs are hairy, and their abdomen long and thin.

Habitat:

Woodlands, forests and urban areas. They are common in the backyards of Brisbane.

Notes:

I had never seen a Robber Fly before this encounter. It landed on a damp tea towel and sat there for quite some time, cleaning itself. Long enough for me to take a few photos, at least.