Robber Fly ID - Ask Extension
I am submitting the attached picture on behalf of a community member. The picture was taken at BWI. The community member concluded that it is a robber...
Knowledgebase
Robber Fly ID #803468
Asked July 28, 2022, 11:44 AM EDT
I am submitting the attached picture on behalf of a community member. The picture was taken at BWI. The community member concluded that it is a robber fly, but was hoping for a more specific ID and perhaps some additional information. Thank you!
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
This is indeed a robber fly, but with around 100 species or so in this insect family (Asilidae) occurring in Maryland, it may be difficult to determine an exact ID from a photo. Based on its appearance, though, and the fact that the species is very common in the East, we think this is the species called Hanging Thief (Diogmites neoternatus), or close relative in the same genus.
Interesting information about Robber Fly behavior and life cycles can be found in a Wisconsin Extension web page and a blog authored by one of our retired entomology professors.
Miri
Interesting information about Robber Fly behavior and life cycles can be found in a Wisconsin Extension web page and a blog authored by one of our retired entomology professors.
Miri
