Robber flies are common, fast-flying predators of other insects. Look for them on twig tips, leaf edges, and other likely hunting perches. These arthropods have large eyes and move their heads to follow the flight of potential prey. They seize flying insects (often flies, bees, or wasps) by grabbing them with their legs, then paralyzing them with a chemical injected from their mouthparts. The robber fly takes its food back to a perch and begins the suck out the body fluids of its winged snack, dropping the drained remains on the ground.

back to Nature Notebook