Brown-banded Hanging Thief
Diogmites salutans
This record describes Diogmites salutans (species). Recorded family: Asilidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
medium-sized, brownish red; mesonotum with three dark brown stripes (the median one divided for its entire length)
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Tall grass in damp, sandy areas
Geographic Range
se. US (VA-FL-MS)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Diogmites salutans Bromley 1936 Brown-banded Hanging Thief: https://www.robberfliesoftheworld.com/NA_CommonNames.php
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Diogmites salutans. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Brown-banded Hanging Thief (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by v belov , Chris Cohen
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown-banded Hanging Thief
What is Brown-banded Hanging Thief?
Brown-banded Hanging Thief (Diogmites salutans) is a species in the family Asilidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Brown-banded Hanging Thief?
20-25 mm
How do you identify Brown-banded Hanging Thief?
medium-sized, brownish red; mesonotum with three dark brown stripes (the median one divided for its entire length)
Where is Brown-banded Hanging Thief found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Tall grass in damp, sandy areas |
| Range | se. US (VA-FL-MS) |