Subject: I think it is under the order Mecoptera
Geographic location of the bug: Sydney Australia
Date: 11/22/2018
Time: 07:07 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Hello,
I live in Sydney Australia and it is currently late spring.
I spotted this insect on my balcony and think it is under the order Mecoptera. I tried to catch it to give to donate to the entomology department at the University of Sydney because I know they don’t have many.
I am very interested in knowing what type of insect it is because I spent 3 months catching insect for my entomology major work and just handed it in. Shame I didn’t find one 3 week earlier!
Thank you for your time.
How you want your letter signed: Ethan
Dear Ethan,
This is definitely NOT a Scorpionfly in the order Mecoptera. It is a True Fly in the order Diptera, and we believe it is a Robber Fly in the family Asilidae. We believe it might be a Giant Blue Robber Fly, Blepharotes spendidissimus, which is pictured on Brisbane Insects where it states: “The Giant Blue Robber Fly has the relatively small head, legs are not long but with board abdomen. The body and legs is covered with short grey hairs. Whole body, includes eyes, abdomen and legs are in dark steel blue colour. Pair of Wings are tinted in steel blue as well. “
