David Element
Wildlife
Photography and Digital Video Images
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Flies 6 – Hornet Robberflies
HORNET ROBBERFLY Asilus
crabroniformis
- The Hornet Robberfly Asilus crabroniformis is the largest member of the Asilidae and undoubtedly one of the most impressive members of the British fly fauna. There are 28 British robberfly species. This insect is a heathland specialist, meaning that it is limited in distribution purely because of a lack of suitable habitat even without any additional pressures. Therefore, the fly is extremely vulnerable to the loss of further habitat, whether due to human construction or in consequence of heathland fires, many of which are probably either avoidable or sadly in some cases non-accidental. The eggs are laid in animal dung and the fly will probably eat any insect that it can catch and carry. All are equipped with superb eyesight and the Hornet Robberfly is particularly good at evading photographers! The above photograph has therefore been scanned from an old transparency.
- The vernacular names used for robberflies on this web site are those introduced by
Stubbs and Drake in 'British
Soldierflies and Their Allies'.
Anyone with an interest in these flies ought to own a copy of this book.
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