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large fly looking dead insect.
Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 4:39 PM
We found this one ( dead already ) on the ground along the grand canyon, az. It was at least 3 inches long and had these striking stripes on its back end and these large eyeballs! the kids thought this was so neat looking and because of its size it was a bit shocking that it was dead.
anyhoo – I have been trying to identify it and have had no luck. can anyone help?
thanks so much!
claudia and kids ( thomas hannah emma and lilly)
grand canyon arizona

Giant Robber Fly

Hi Claudia and Kids,
Now that the semester is finally finished and we have submitted our grades, we are trying to send Christmas cards to friends and family.  WE have been neglecting our web site email and have only been posting one or two letters a day.  We are happy to inform you that this is a predatory Robber Fly, probably a Giant Robber Fly in the genus Promachus.  We believe it may be Promachus sackeni which is found in Arizona according to BugGuide, but we would like to have an expert opinion to substantiate this identification.

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