Robber flies
Alternative name/s:
Assassin flies
Assassin flies
Click to enlarge image
Robber Fly
Image: Bruce Hulbert
© Bruce Hulbert
© Bruce Hulbert
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Family
- Asilidae
- Super Family
- Asiloidea
- Order
- Diptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 5 mm - 30 mm
Robber flies mating, Family Asilidae
Image: David Gray
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Introduction
Robber flies are large, bristly flies that catch their prey (usually other insects) mid-flight.
Habitat
Robber flies live in urban areas, forests and woodlands.
Distribution
Robber flies throughout Australia. Because of their size and active habits, robber flies are one of the more common flies seen in Sydney.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
Feeding and diet
Each leg of the robber fly has a pair of strong claws to catch their prey before injecting a powerful poison. Enzymes help to digest the meal and all that remains is the discarded exoskeleton (external skeleton).
