David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images
________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Flies 46 Stripe-legged Robberflies
STRIPE-LEGGED ROBBERFLY Dioctria baumhaueri (f)
STRIPE-LEGGED ROBBERFLY Dioctria baumhaueri (f)
STRIPE-LEGGED ROBBERFLY Dioctria baumhaueri (f)
STRIPE-LEGGED ROBBERFLY Dioctria baumhaueri (f)
STRIPE-LEGGED ROBBERFLY Dioctria baumhaueri (f)
STRIPE-LEGGED
ROBBERFLY Dioctria baumhaueri (f)
STRIPE-LEGGED ROBBERFLY Dioctria baumhaueri (f)
·
The predatory Stripe-legged Robberfly
Dioctria baumhaueri
(synonym = hyalipennis) is
an ambush hunter, lying in wait on low vegetation for unsuspecting victims (smaller
invertebrates) and then pouncing when an opportunity arises. The prey is
grabbed, penetrated by the mouthparts, and then sucked dry. This approach seems
to be extremely successful judging from personal observations as the flies are often
in possession of prey when they are being photographed. The swollen, salmon
pink abdomens of the females shown in these illustrations would suggest that
they were gravid females although the stretched abdominal wall is
insufficiently transparent to be able to see any eggs. There are several similar
species and the markings on the legs are significant when separating them.
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