Family: Asilidae, Robber Flies view all from this family

Description 1-1 1/8" (24-30 mm). Thorax heavy; abdomen slender, tapering. Body and legs beige with many stiff blackish-brown or beige bristles. Legs also covered with white hair. Wings clear with brown veins.

Food Adult eats bees and other insects. Larva feeds on many kinds of soil insects, roots, and decaying plant matter.

Life Cycle Eggs are thrust into soil crevices. Larvae usually require more than 1 year at attain full size before pupating in soil. Adults emerge in summer.

Habitat Pastures and open fields.

Range Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Discussion Giant Robber Flies rival dragonflies in their effectiveness as predators.