Subject: What type of insect
Location: Southern-Central Illinois
July 11, 2017 5:05 pm
Saw this outside the window. At first thought it was a wasp but then it landed and when I looked at it more closely it resembled a mosquito. What type of insect is this?
Signature: J. Fortado
Dear J. Fortado,
This distinctive looking Robber Fly is a Hanging Thief in the genus Diogmites. Those long legs are used to capture prey. These are predatory hunters that take their prey on the wing, and they often eat while hanging from one leg, hence the common name Hanging Thief.
