Hornet robberfly  (Asilus crabroniformis)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Biology

Hornet robberflies start to emerge in mid-June with the bulk of the insects appearing in July. They are predatory flies, and the adults intercept their prey in mid-flight. The favoured food species seem to be dung beetles, but other prey recorded has included grasshoppers, bees and wasps. The robberfly hunts from a perch, which can be a stick, stone or a dung pat. The larvae of this species are themselves predatory. The adult female lays her eggs on or around a pile of animal dung. The grubs enter the soil immediately after hatching and, having fed on beetle grubs, the larvae burrow into the soil before pupating.

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