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Unidentified insect found in Umbria, central Italy.
August 6, 2009
Bug was on an 8 cm plank in Umbria Italy. `no-one in the area has seen one like it before. See attached pictures. Although the pictures have the title spider 1 and spider 2 it may not be a spider as it appears to have 6 legs
Ruth
Todi, Umbria, Italy

Robber Fly from Italy

Dear Ruth,
This really is a spectacular Robber Fly in the family Asilidae, but we are uncertain of the species.  We have a vague recollection of having identified a very similar looking Robber Fly once, but we haven’t the time right now to research that.  Perhaps one of our readers will be able to assist in a species identification.

Update from Karl
Hi Daniel:
It looks like Pogonosoma maroccanum, which occurs in Italy, France, Austria and probably other parts of Europe as well. Regards.
Karl

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