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Robberfly


Robberfly
Photo Information
Copyright: Volkan Eroglu (Gramineae) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 62 W: 3 N: 212] (1074)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-09-14
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D-5000, 18-55mm AF-S Nikkor
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2010-09-23 6:03
Viewed: 2739
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Scientific classification:
Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Diptera

Suborder: Brachycera

Infraorder: Asilomorpha

Superfamily: Asiloidea

Family: Asilidae

Insects in the Diptera family Asilidae are commonly called 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, ants, dragon and damselflies, Ichneumon wasps, grasshoppers, and some spiders.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asilidae

Thanks: Bayram Göcmen
bahadir, boreocypriensis has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Volkan çok güzel. Eline sağlık.
Bahadır

Hi Volkan,

A very good macro showing the predatory activity of a roberfly with its prey. Good sharp focus on both subject, with a nice soft background with complimentary colors. Perhaps a adding a little contrast to bring out more definition would be beneficial, but this is very good as is.
TFS and have a nice day!

Bayram

Ciao Volkan. Intersting taken for thi asilidae in very good details and intrigant grey tones.

Roberto

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