A week ago I did a post about a very small Robber Fly (Gnat Oger) (Holcocephala fusca). Tonight’s post is about a Robber Fly (Promachus rufipes) that is one of the largest of the Robber Flies, measuring in at 1.25″ to 1.5″.

These Robber Flies are ravenous predators. One will find the perfect spot, perching on a branch or a leaf and wait for its meal to fly into view. Springing into action to capture it in mid-air, clasping it with its claws. Using its proboscis, enzymes are injected that will paralyze the prey and digest its insides. Then it simply lands and sucks its meal as if it was a milkshake.

They’re good creatures to have in your garden since they will eat pest insects like Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (Halyomorpha halys). I’m hoping too that they’ll take a liking to Spotted Lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula).

We just have to hope for more of these Robber Flies to come along to save the day.

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