#robber fly
@derberner “Saw this insect at Fushimi Inari Taisha in early August. It was nearly the size of the large dragonfly it chased off. I’m curious as to what it is!”
Hello!
Thanks for the cool submission! This is a type of Robber Fly or Assassin Fly, specifically a very distinctive Promachus yesonicus called “Shioya Abu”, meaning “Salt merchant Horsefly”.
This fly is not a proper horsefly (and doesn’t attack humans or other large mammals) but snatches prey insects out of the air, just as a dragonfly does, and is an incredibly efficient hunter.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was either making a grab for the dragonfly (which decided to make a break for it) or was chasing the dragonfly away from the sweet hunting spot and claiming a nice vantage point.
Thanks again, have a good weekend!
Post link
It has been MORE THAN ONE YEAR since I posted. But y’know…..here’s the regular……again. In order of appearance: mole cricket, weevil, and robber fly.
Happy World Robber Fly Day!
Have a robber fly. They want to eat so many other flies.
