THE INSECTLIBRARY FIELD GUIDES
Robber FlyIdentification, facts & practical guidance
Robber flies are predatory flies in Asilidae. They often wait on exposed perches before flying out to seize another insect.
Compiled by the InsectLibrary Team · Updated · Editorial policy
Identification and lookalikes
Many have a bristly face, strong legs and an elongated abdomen. Some imitate bees or wasps, but flies have one functional pair of wings. Species vary greatly in shape and coloring.
What robber flies eat
They catch a variety of other insects rather than feeding only on human pests. Larvae commonly live in soil, decaying matter or wood, depending on species.
What to do next
Watch from a distance or photograph the fly on its perch. Do not grab it: the piercing mouthparts can cause a painful defensive bite.
Robber Fly: species profiles
Explore 503 species profiles covered by this guide, with recorded names and available photos.
Robber Fly -E. aestuans
Efferia aestuans
(c) Sarah Culliton, some rights reserved (CC BY)European Longhorn Robber
Dioctria hyalipennis
Red-footed Cannibalfly
Promachus rufipes
Robber Fly -P. hinei
Promachus hinei
Plain-tailed Hanging Thief
Diogmites neoternatus
kite-tailed robberfly
Tolmerus atricapillus
Robber Fly:L. thoracica
Laphria thoracica
Robber Fly -Atomosia sp.
Atomosia puella
Sand Hammertail
Efferia albibarbis
Triorla interrupta
Triorla interrupta
Black-tailed Laphria
Laphria flavicollis
Machimus sadyates
Machimus sadyates
Showing 12 of 503 species. Browse all in Diptera →
Sources and further reading
- mdc.mo.gov - robber flieshttps://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/robber-flies
References support the subject discussed here; they do not certify every imported directory record. Regional sources describe their own locations. Read our source and correction policy.