ABC Wednesday: R is for Robber Flies
(in this case two male Efferia aestuans)
Robber Flies are in an insect family (Asilidae) where the question "Care to join me for lunch?" should never be answered in the affirmative.
Adult robber flies capture their prey on the wing. Just about any flying insect from leafhoppers to dragonflies to other robber flies is fair game. I have seen robber flies bring down insects two and three times their own size. Large prey they simply ride down to the ground. Small prey they will fly with to a feeding location of their choice. Robber flies stab prey with their sharp beaks and then inject a mixture of neurotoxins (for a quick kill) and digestive enzymes. They then suck out the partially pre-digested body juices of their victims.
Sources and links:
Cirrus Images
Herschel Raney's Random Natural Acts
Norman Lavers Robber Flies of Crowley's Ridge
BugGuide Efferia Page
Thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place for hosting ABC Wednesday.
(in this case two male Efferia aestuans)
Robber Flies are in an insect family (Asilidae) where the question "Care to join me for lunch?" should never be answered in the affirmative.
Adult robber flies capture their prey on the wing. Just about any flying insect from leafhoppers to dragonflies to other robber flies is fair game. I have seen robber flies bring down insects two and three times their own size. Large prey they simply ride down to the ground. Small prey they will fly with to a feeding location of their choice. Robber flies stab prey with their sharp beaks and then inject a mixture of neurotoxins (for a quick kill) and digestive enzymes. They then suck out the partially pre-digested body juices of their victims.
Sources and links:
Cirrus Images
Herschel Raney's Random Natural Acts
Norman Lavers Robber Flies of Crowley's Ridge
BugGuide Efferia Page
Thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place for hosting ABC Wednesday.
Such a dramatic picture! Are people on their prey list too??
ReplyDeleteGreat shot!
ReplyDeleteJust GREAT!!! :)
My R
fine shot, nice makro, i like it, really great
ReplyDeleteI have seen these before but did not know their names.
ReplyDeletewonderful capture , very "national geographical". well done. and very interesting info too
ReplyDeleteSuch a charming date!
ReplyDeletewow...great macro shot
ReplyDeleteWill you visit mine Thanks
I was settling down to homemade tomatoe soup with Basil.. ummm! tasty thought I.. until I got here.. :O)
ReplyDeleteI have heard of these before but never knew about this. It really is fantastic what legnths things go to for a meal.
Back to my soup now ;o) slurppp!
Amazing! It appears to be a brutal little world we all live in...
ReplyDeleteAmazing shot!
ReplyDeleteFantastic Macro Marvin, also interesting info.
ReplyDeleteWell it is spring isn't it?
ReplyDeleteGreat shot!
Petunia's ABC
VERY intriguing. I don't think I've ever heard of robber flies, but I'm quite interested in bugs. Just don't do snakes for S....ICK!
ReplyDeleteCome see my R today! :D
Marvin, I don't think I have ever seen these flies.
ReplyDeleteFascinating! Never witnessed anything like this before.
ReplyDeleteRobber flies are so horrific in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!
ReplyDeleteYour entry... Perfect... For eliminating appetite... Should be sold... To diet industry... -gasp-
:-)
Mari-Nanci
Photos-City-Mine
A wonderful photo. Now I will see if these guys are around my house.
ReplyDeleteSherry
Wonderful R photo. Just discovered your site and it's one I'll be visiting!
ReplyDeleteI'm a transplanted Missouri girl and love our shared Ozarks. Some of the most beautiful land in the USA.