Ugliest Bug. Ever. Again.

Family Asilidae

I still don't know which species or genus this bug is. The first time I photographed one of these robber flies was in July in New Hampshire. This is the second individual I photographed this summer — here at home. Robber flies eat dragon flies. Therefore, I don't like them. If I had edited the photos before Halloween (and the only edit needed was cropping), I would've entered this bug in the Audubon Guide Scariest Photo Contest. It's way scarier than the spider photograph that I submitted.

Flickr Tags: robbery fly,Family Asilidae

Technorati Tags: robbery fly,Family Asilidae

del.icio.us Tags: robbery fly,Family Asilidae

_/\_/\_

Ugliest Bug. Ever.

Family Asilidae

I found these guys in Sutton, New Hampshire in July. I have seen and photographed them here in Vermont, also. I always, when I see them fly, think they are dragonflies. It isn’t until I view the photos in the computer and go “Ewwwwww,” that I find they are robber flies. I wouldn’t pick them up if I were you — the big ones bite!   Bugguide.net says of robber flies:

Medium-sized to large predatory flies, often perch in exposed location and make short flies after prey. Typical family characteristics:

• top of head hollowed out between eyes, with three ocelli in this depression (diagnostic character)
• body from very hairy to nearly bare
• typical body form elongated, with tapered abdomen, but other forms as well
• some groups mimics of hymenoptera
• face usually "bearded", with prominent mystax
• mouthparts modified to inject saliva into prey--saliva contains potent neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes
• mouthparts similar in both sexes, unlike typical blood-sucking flies, such as Tabanidae
• antennae with three segments, third segment elongate and often with terminal style

       My Robber Fly Set on Flickr

Flickr Tags: Robber flies,Asilidae

del.icio.us Tags: Robber flies,Asilidae

Technorati Tags: Robber flies,Asilidae

_/\_/\_