Knowledgebase

Horse fly?, #768202

Asked August 19, 2021, 5:42 PM EDT

Could you please identify this 3" long insect

Worcester County Maryland

Expert Response

This is a Robber Fly. They are considered to be beneficial insects because they prey upon (kill and eat) other insects and spiders. They will not harm you.

Dr. Michael Raupp has a good article about them: http://bugoftheweek.com/blog/2018/8/20/robber-flies-steal-lives3-red-footed-cannibal-fly-ipromachus-rufipesi

Christa

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 20, 2021, 8:17 AM EDT

This work is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension grant no. 2020-41595-30123 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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