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Hanging Thief eats Red Wasp

Posted by bugman August 1st, 2009 at 10:14 pm

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Paper Wasps, Robber Flies

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Crane Fly with a hefty meal I suspect?
August 1, 2009
I was at a park and I saw a pair (attached) of flying insects buzz by and so I naturally went over to have a look. I was expecting a mating pair but then I saw this. The blurry picture was while what I suspect is a Crane Fly was grappling for better control of the wasp (also a very windy day). I’m curious, is this indeed a Crane Fly?
Jeff
Mount Pleasant, SC (near Charleston)

Hanging Thief eats Red Wasp
Hanging Thief eats Red Wasp

Hi Jeff,
Your predator is a Robber Fly known as a Hanging Thief in the genus Diogmites which may be viewed on BugGuide, and the prey is a Red Wasp, Polistes carolina, which can also be viewed on BugGuide.  Hanging Thieves often catch their prey while flying.  Hanging Thieves get their common name from their habit of hanging from one leg while eating.

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