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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, 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. Other species live in the soil. In most species the larvae are omnivorous.
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Robber Flies in Popular Culture and Literacy
In the book, The Web of Fire, by Steve Voake Robber Flies are portrayed as nasty, evil, and vicious creatures. They are flown by pilots and controlled by the evil Emperor, Odoursin. The hero Sam and his accomplice, a girl wasp pilot called Skipper, have to steal eggs from a Japanese Hornets' nest in order to fight back in this action-packed sequel to 'The Dreamwalker's Child.'
References
- Geller-Grimm F (2003): Photographic atlas and identification key to the robber flies of Germany (Diptera: Asilidae), CD-ROM, Amphx-Verlag Halle (Saale). ISBN 3-932795-18-0
- Hull FM (1962): Robber flies of the world., Bulletin of the United States National Museum 224 (1, 2): 1-907; Washington.
- Lavigne RJ (2003): Evolution of courtship behaviour among the Asilidae (Diptera), with a review of courtship and mating. Studia dipterologica 9(2)(2002): 703-742
- Musso JJ (1978): Recherches sur le développement, la nutrition et l'écologie des Asilidae (Diptera - Brachycera), Aix-*Marseille: These université d'droit, d'èconomie et des sciences: 312 S.
- Oldroyd H (1969): Tabanoidea and Asiloidea, Handb Ident British Insects 9(4). London
- Papavero N (1973): Studies of Asilidae (Diptera) systematics and evolution. I. A preliminary classification in subfamilies., Arquivos de Zoologia do Estado de São Paulo 23: 217-274; São Paulo.
- Wood GC (1981): Asilidae, In: McAlpine JF, Peterson BV, Shewell GE, Teskey HJ, Vockeroth JR, Wood DM,(Hrsg.): Manual of Nearctic Diptera. Volume 1., Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Monographs 27: : 549-573; Ottawa.
External links
- Robber flies of North America - reference photographs, descriptions, natural history
- Family Asilidae at Bugguide.net
- Asilidae - Robber flies by Fritz Geller-Grimm
- Images (text in Japanese)
- Diptera.info
- Family description and images
- robber flies on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site
- bee killers, Mallophora spp. on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site
Photo gallery
 Head of a large Efferia aestuans |
 Female |
 Robber fly |
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 Robber fly resting |
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 Efferia aestuans, Albuquerque, NM |
 with Damselfly prey |
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 3 November 2008, at 14:13.
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