What is it, Bugman?
Location: Midlands of South Carolina
August 8, 2011 12:21 pm
I found this bug in my studio window. Unfortunately it was already dead, but no bug carnage was incurred by me. I had caught one of these that was buzzing around the studio a few days before and released it outside. A few weeks ago, I saw a bug that looked similar to this take down a dragonfly in mid-flight. I’m guessing it may be a robber fly? Thanks to your website I am learning to identify a few bugs. I saw a wheelbug in my garden this morning.
Signature: Laura in Irmo, SC

Red Footed Cannibalfly

Hi Laura,
This Red Footed Cannibalfly, Promachus rufipes, is indeed a Robber Fly.  See BugGuide for additional information.  These large Robber Flies might be the most adept hunting insects that take prey on the wing.  It is not unusual for them to take on large adversaries like Dragonflies.  We are pleased to hear that you are learning to appreciate the insects around you as opposed to just killing anything that appears scary.

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Large Stinging Insect
Location: Inside a DSW Shoe Store, Durham, NC, USA
August 5, 2011 11:02 pm
Hello, I saw this bug in a DSW shoe store and was wondering what it was. I don’t have a picture of it, but I tried to draw it. I know it looks bad but I’ll try to describe it. It was probably about 1.5 to 2 inches long, and maybe a bit less than half an inch wide. It had large black eyes, a nose like thing in between, and a slightly furry dark green/brown head. The wings were clear and narrow, and reached about to the ed of the bug, although not past the stinger, which was large, about one centimeter. The abdomen was narrow. That’s the best I can describe it. Sorry I can’t give a picture.
Thanks a lot,
-Emma

Robber Fly Drawing, we believe

Did it actually sting you or someone you know of?

No, I had just never seen anything like it before. But I look through some of the pictures on your website, and I think that it might be a robber fly.
Thanks!
-Emme

That was our first guess, however we needed to verify that there was just the perceived threat of a sting versus an actual sting.  Robber Flies do not sting, but many people mistake the ovipositor of a female for a stinger and Robber Flies are frequently mistaken for wasps.

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Unknown bug from Oklahoma
Location: Western Oklahoma
August 6, 2011 10:11 pm
I stopped at a gas station in Western Oklahoma (I believe it was Clinton, OK) and this bug was sitting on the ground next to the pump. It didn’t move the whole time I was pumping so I was able to grab my camera and take a photo. It was about 3 inches in length. I can’t find any matches online. Any help in providing an ID would be appreciated. Thanks!
Signature: -Gabe

Hanging Thief

Hi Gabe,
This is a Robber Fly, and we believe it is a Hanging Thief in the genus Diogmites.  We have been receiving numerous identification requests for Hanging Thieves in the past few weeks.  We believe your individual looks very similar to this unidentified Hanging Thief from Texas posted to BugGuide.

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A type of dragonfly?
Location: Claremont, New Hampshire
August 6, 2011 6:12 pm
I found this critter flying around and landing on my flowers. It buzzed like a bee when it was flying around. The first picture is pretty clear. I included the second one, because it shows it from the top, but my apologies for the fogginess. The camera was in airconditioning and I brought it out in hot humid weather! Thanks! I love your website.
Signature: Betty

New York Bee Killer

Dear Betty,
Your insect is a predatory Robber Fly, one of the Hanging Thieves in the genus Diogmites.  More specifically, it is the New York Bee Killer, Diogmites basalis, and we identified it on BugGuide, where it is described as “‘A large reddish brown species, with golden spots on each side of the abdominal segments’ (Artigas, 1966).”  The referenced publication, The Genus Diogmites (Robber Flies) in the Eastern United States by Jorge N. Artigas, states: “These insects apparently do not fly far from the place where the immature stages are spent, and are often abundant in certain areas. They commonly occur along woodland edges, the shores of streams, and in open fields with low vegetation; in Ohio they seem to prefer clover fields and fields containing blackberry bushes. The seasonal range of the adults varies in different species, from the end of June to the middle of October. The adults are active during the day, and at dusk seek refuge under branches and stones.” 

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!  Usually I can find what I am looking for on your website, but this one had me stumped.
Thanks again,
Betty

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What is this bug?
Location: Athens, GA
August 4, 2011 5:55 pm
Hi there! This guy has been hanging out on my back porch for a couple days now, and I have no clue what he is! Sort of a fly/bee/hornet hybrid. Really curious to get him ID’d. These photos were taken today, Aug. 4, 2011.
Signature: Michelle G.

Robber Fly

Hi Michelle,
This is some species of Robber Fly in the family Asilidae.  They are amazing predators that catch their prey on the wing.  We believe your Robber Fly might be Proctacanthus fulviventris based on photos posted to BugGuidebecause the legs, antennae, wings and abdomen appear to match.

Robber Fly

Wow, thanks! I looked up Robber Fly and I actually believe this guy
might be Promachus rufipes… you can’t tell in the photo I took, but
the length of his tail is striped yellow and black…which is why I
thought he was a hornet at first!
Thanks so much!! I’ve really enjoyed learning about these carnivorous
insects. I had never heard of Robber Flies before.
Michelle

Hi again Michelle,
We entertained that possibility.  We really wanted it to be the Red Footed Cannibalfly, but it appears that the feet are not as red as most individuals on BugGuide.  A good side view would help us, but there is probably enough for a real Robber Fly expert to determine the species.  Perhaps someone will write in to confirm.

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