Bee Killers, Hanging Thieves and other Robber Flies
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What is this bug?
This wasp looking thing was found stalking butterflies on the Mogollon Rim area of Northern Arizona around Payson
Thank you
Unknown Robber Fly eats Sulphur Butterfly
This is some species of Robber Fly, but we have not been successful in locating a match on BugGuide. The red wings are quite distinctive. The prey is a Sulphur Butterfly. We hope Eric Eaton can assist us in the identification of your Robber Fly.
Mexican Robber Fly
I wrote you last year with this huge unknown insect and you
were able to id it as a Mexican Robber Fly; very rare and
only seen in Arizona and only a few times.
Well, he’s baaaack. I got one of these shots on August
26, 2008 and the second one on Sept. 01, 2008, at which time
I saw TWO of them fly away! I live in a remote desert area
bordering Cochise County, about six miles west of Benson,
Ariz., at an elevation of 4,600 feet. Love your site and use
it all the time to id bugs! Thanks for being there.
Best Regards,
Carol L. Breton
Benson, Arizona
Hi Carol,
Thank you so much for reporting this year’s sighting of Archilestris
magnificus (Walker).
Update: (09/07/2008)
Daniel: I don’t think that robber fly is “rare” any more. I collected one in Amado, Santa Cruz County, AZ just the other day, and saw another one at the same location. I think they are probably established in Arizona now.
Eric
I”m Stumped, but the picture is awesome!
I can not identify this critter anywhere on the net and I searched your site and if he’s there, I missed him (not hard to do with the hundreds of beautiful insect images you’ve gotten from around the world..nice job). So what is this fellow…do you know? Found in Bella Vista, Arkansas Thanks much,
Dustie Meads
Hi Dustie,
This is a Hanging Thief, a Robber Fly in the genus Diogmites. They often hang by a single leg while feeding on prey they have captured.
Bee Identification
We came across this bee while hiking on Cougar Mountain near Newcastle, WA. I must have upset it somehow as it swarmed me, flying around my head and finally landing on my leg. Luckily my keys were in my pocket where it landed, so I’m not sure if it tried to sting at that moment or not. I was able to shush it away so it landed on a nearby bench. I took a close photo so I could try to identify this guy when I got home but have been finding it very hard to do so by looking at many sites including yours. Please help me out. It looked really mad and, from the looks of its backend, I’m really glad it didn’t sting me.
~Mark in Tacoma, WA
Hi Mark,
This is not a Bee, but a Robber Fly in the family Asilidae. We don’t immediately recognize your species, and we cannot at the moment research this more thoroughly, but you may have luck researching the BugGuide archives. It is also possible one of our readers will provide the answer. Flies don’t sting, they bite.
Thank you for the clarification. I researched it more and found it most likely to be a Laphria thoracica. I appreciate the help in identifying this species of fly.
Mark
Hi again Mark,
We believe you have the genus correct, but this looks more to us like a male Laphria astur, also pictured on BugGuide. All the photos on BugGuide are collected specimens, so it is wonderful to have a photo of a living example. Collectively, the Laphria species are known as the Bee-Like Robber Flies.
Pictures of Red velvet mite, Nigeria +Unknown black winged creature, Ifakara, Tanzania
Hi there, just found out what these bug are through your website. Thought you might like even more pictures… We’ve encountered them in Nigeria, please feel free to use them. I also attached picture of some black, flying create, found in ifakar valley, Tanzania. If you like I have more pictures of bugs from Africa. Best regards,
Robert Sirre
Hi Robert,
Since you have already identified your Velvet Mites, we have turned our attentions to your spectacular Robber Fly. We don’t know what species it is, but it is sure one impressive specimen. Robber Flies are in the family Asilidae. Robber Flies that resemble your specimen that live in North America prey on bees and wasps and other flying insects.
ID help please
Hi there,
I’ve attached a photo that I took in southeast Arizona this past week, around Sierra Vista. I was chasing after what I thought was a Tarantula Hawk and saw it land. As I approached the "bug" I saw that it had been captured by a mystery insect. What captured my target? Thanks in advance for your help, and please keep up the good work. I love using your site as a resource for identifying mystery insects.
BJ Stacey
Fins to fur, fangs to feathers: capturing wildlife through a lens.
Check out my web site: http://www.finatic-photography.com/
Hi BJ,
The predator in your photo is a Robber Fly known as a Hanging Thief in the genus Diogmites. The prey is not a Tarantula Hawk, but some species of beetle. The angle of view makes identification a bit difficult.
Goggles and purple legs – SoCal backyard visitor
Saw the guy in the attached photo in my backyard this afternoon (July 23) here in Culver City, California. He liked clinging to long stalks of overgrown grass, and never flew away very far. His legs were a dark purple-ish color, and his eyes look like big goggles. He seems like a bee of some kind, maybe a leaf cutter? Any insight you can offer would be much appreciated. Best,
J
Hi J,
This is a Robber Fly in the genus Mallophora, known as the Bee Killers. According to BugGuide, there is only one species in the genus in California, Mallophora fautrix. Your photo is consistant with the images of Mallophora fautrix posted on BugGuide.
Identification please
Hi,
I found 6 or 7 of these ‘bug’s flying around our yard in South Texas ( 20 miles South of San Antonio ) I think they are a Mydas fly but my Wife thinks they are some kind of bee please identify. We think they were attempting to mate. A humming bird flew by and was dwarfed by the size of these ‘ bugs’ . The images attached are compressed if needed I can send full size files. Weather 85 degrees, South east wind approx 5 Mph. Time 10:09 AM. Many thanks in advance
Nigel & Veronica Hutchings
Hi Nigel and Veronica,
Thank you so much for including the wind speed and direction. We don’t know what to do with that information, but we are tremendously amused because of the number of requests we receive where “my back yard” constitutes a location. These are Robber Flies, more specifically, Bee Killers in the genus Mallophora. There are five representatives of the genus posted on BugGuide, and your specimen appears to be Mallophora leschenaulti. All the individuals on BugGuide of Mallophora leschenaulti, which was given the common name Belzebul Bee Eater, hailed from Texas and the species is also reported from Mexico. We wonder, perhaps, if Belzebul is a misspelling of Beelzebub or Beelzebul. The outstretched forelegs on the suitor reminds us a bit of Harpo Marx chasing the girls in his signature comedy routine. Your photos are awesome.
what type of flying bug is this?
I have enclosed several pictures. This bug landed on our truck and didn’t seem to mind us as he stayed around for a while. The bug was found in Dunwoody, Georgia during the morning hours of July 4th, 2008. Any ideas on to what type it is would be appreciated. My mother thinks it is a mosquito. Lord, help us if it is!
Jennifer Williams
Hi Jennifer,
Your insect is a Robber Fly known as a Hanging Thief in the genue Diogmites. These are amazing predatory insects that get their common name from their habit of hanging by one leg while eating. BugGuide has a nice selection of species identified, but we don’t feel confident to identify your specimen beyond the genus level.
Robber
Hi Guys,
In the last year I’ve visited your site many times when I can’t find a bug I’ve captured in my books, in about the same time I’ve been getting into photography mostly bug shots but also animals when I stumble or sneak up on them. I’m no expert, still don’t know what all the buttons are for on my digital SLR but have managed to get a few viewable shots. Just looked through the robber fly section and now know this is a Bee Killer but thought I’d send this in to you as he/she is blowing it’s horn 
Taken a couple of weeks ago near Orlando FL where I live, Work has me traveling and I’m now in Massachusetts…..no bugs 
but did manage to get a lovely shot of a Muskrat earlier today, a first. Brilliant site you have
Glen
PS If you get a minute, check out National Geographic website and take a look at July 07 Your Shot page I’m still buzzed
Hi Glen,
We are inclined to identify your Robber Fly as one of the Bee-Like Robber Flies in the genus Laphria as opposed to the Bee Killers in the genus Mallophora because of the difference in the antennae. Mallophora has “antennae with a very thin terminal final segment, whereas Laphria has thick antennae.” We are not exactly sure what you want us to see on the National Geographic “Your Shot” page.
Identification of ?Robber Fly and Scorpion Fly
Dear Bugman,
Happened upon your site tonight and am most excited! Have bought several books and trying to identify local species in our Southern Tablelands area of NSW, Australia. Hubby and I spend a good deal of time at Bungonia State Recreation Area doing the lazy man tours of the gorgeous bush to see what interesting things we c an find…..we are never disappointed! What first started out as just native flowers and now turned into fauna and in particular, BUGS!I’ve attached two photographs taken this month and am hoping you can identify them. They’re beauties! Cheers!
Katherine & Ricky Lee
Hi Katherine and Ricky Lee,
Getting different species of insects in the same letter complicates our posting, so we are giving your Robber Fly its own posting. We can’t tell you the species, but perhaps our faithful reader Grev will write in and positively identify your specimen. The Geocities website includes some similar looking Robber Flies.
What in the World!!! Please Help!
Dear Bugman,
I found your site about two months ago after being pinched by a beetle. Great photos, and descriptions=hours of fun. Anyway, these guys were flying around having a good time scarring my niece. I haven’t seen any like this before (we live in Central Illinois). I looked through your pages on bees, wasps and dragonflies, but couldn’t find a match. Any help would be much appreciated (and also end a family discussion on the bugs identity)! Thank you, keep up the great work and have a great day!!!!
Kim B.
Hi Kim,
Your mating insects are Robber Flies in the family Asilidae, possibly Giant Robber Flies in the genus Promachus.
