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Robber flies,


Robber flies,
Photo Information
Copyright: Nikos Nikolaou (nikosrio) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 38 W: 0 N: 48] (284)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-10
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D80, Nikkor Af-S micro 105mm VR f/2.8G IF ED
Exposure: f/11, 1/350 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-10 0:40
Viewed: 339
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Flies in the Diptera family Asilidae are commonly known as robber flies. The family Asilidae contains about 7,100 described species worldwide. All robber flies have stout, spiny legs, a dense moustache of bristles on the face (mystax), and 3 simple eyes (ocelli) in a characteristic depression between their two large compound eyes. The mystax helps protect the head and face when the fly encounters prey bent on defense. The antennae are short, 3-segmented, sometimes with a bristle-like structure called an arista. The short, strong proboscis is used to stab and inject victims with saliva containing neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes which paralyze and digest the insides; the fly then sucks the liquefied meal through the proboscis. Many species have long, tapering abdomens, sometimes with a sword-like ovipositor. Others are fat-bodied bumblebee mimics. Adult robber flies attack other flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, various bees, dragon and damselflies, ichneumon wasps, grasshoppers, and some spiders.

The larvae are often found in decaying organic matter, such as dung heaps and rotting logs. Others species live in the soil. In most species the larvae are omnivorous.
Argus, smitha, jusninasirun has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2487 W: 132 N: 7075] (22101)
  • [2008-06-10 6:23]

Hello Nikos,
Though the thumbnail is not that special, the enlarged image is great!
This is a fine sharp macro with good lighht management in difficult lighting showing one Robberfly species with another robberfly as its prey! Excellent POV, DOF and composition.
TFS this fine image,
Regards, Ivan

Hello Nikos,
I didn't know that Robber flies indulge in cannibalism.You have done a great job in recording this moment with excellent sharpness, details and colours.
TFS,
Smitha.

Hello Nikos. Really brilliant capture of the prey and the predator. Super sharp image in vivid detail. Well done and best regards. Jusni

  • Great 
  • dkaved Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 261 W: 18 N: 411] (1938)
  • [2008-06-13 11:18]

Hi Nikos,
I've seen a few Robber fly images here on this site. They are an attractive find for a macro image (intricate shape and hairy bodies) but on the whole they are ugly little vermin aren't they :-).Seems to be a bit of action going on here....the one below seems to be in trouble.A great capture and great quality.
Regards, David

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