Subject: A Dragonfly of some sort?
Location: South Central Pennsylvania
March 16, 2014 7:38 pm
I took this photo in my yard last summer. I cannot find any photos anywhere that look similar.
I never saw one before. Hoping you can help to identify it.
Signature: Karen
Red Footed Cannibalfly
Hi Karen,
Though this is a highly off season posting, we are nonetheless thrilled to post your spectacular image of one of the most adept insect predators in North America, the Red Footed Cannibalfly, Promachus rufipes, a species of Giant Robber Fly. Your individual appears to be feeding on a Wasp. According to BugGuide: “Preys on large flying insects. Has been reported to attack Ruby-throated Hummingbirds” with a link to Hilton Pond.
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Location: Pennsylvania
Thank you for your quick response! This one has been “bugging” me for some time.
I thought for sure it was a Dragonfly of some sort. Thank you for the compliment on my photo!
I was thrilled when he showed up and I had my camera in my hand.
thanks for the great pictures of this insect… seen it a lot lately and did not know what it is>