Robber Fly Images

Robber Fly Images, Facts And Information:

Family: Asilidae

• Robber Flies are medium to large flies with elongated bodies, tapered abdomens, and bristly or hairy exteriors. They have a distinctive humpbacked appearance, spiny legs, and a bearded face with a sharp, pointy proboscis.
• Robber Flies are found worldwide, with over 7,000 described species. In North America, there are nearly 1,000 species, with about 100 recorded in the Upper Midwest.
• Robber Flies inhabit open, sunny areas including grasslands, old fields, woodland openings, marshes, and areas near ponds and streams.
• Robber Flies are predatory, feeding on a wide variety of insects including flies, beetles, butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, grasshoppers, and even other robber flies.
• Robber Flies lay small, cream-colored eggs on plants, soil, or wood. The number of eggs varies by species. Larvae develop in soil or decaying wood, taking 1-3 years to reach adulthood.
• Robber Flies are also known as “Assassin Flies” due to their predatory nature.
• A group of flies can be called a “business”, “cloud”, or “swarm” of flies.
• The lifespan of adult Robber Flies is typically about 3 months.

I hope you enjoy viewing my Robber Fly photos.