# Beach Robber Fly (*Laphystia litoralis*) The Beach Robber Fly is a cool insect that loves to hang out near sandy beaches. It has big eyes and can catch other insects in mid-air, making it a great little hunter! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Beach Robber Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Robberfly._Laphystia_litoralis_%2837548869755%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robberfly._Laphystia_litoralis_%2837548869755%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Beach Robber Fly has a slender body, often covered in fine, sandy-colored hairs for camouflage against coastal dunes. It features large, bulbous eyes that meet at the top of its head and strong, bristly legs ready to grasp prey. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Asilidae - **Genus:** Laphystia ## Interesting facts - Robber flies have a bristly "mustache" called a mystax to protect their face from struggling prey. - Some robber flies can mimic bees or wasps to scare off predators, but they don't sting! - Their larvae live in sand and also hunt other small insects underground! - They use a special "basket" made of leg bristles to scoop prey right out of the air! ## Special abilities - **Lightning Lunge:** Beach Robber Fly can ambush flying insects with incredible speed because of powerful flight muscles and keen eyesight that helps them strike mid-air. - **Venomous Kiss:** Beach Robber Fly has sharp, piercing mouthparts that inject paralyzing venom, which helps them quickly subdue and digest their prey. - **Desert Disguise:** Beach Robber Fly can blend perfectly with sandy environments because of its pale, dusty coloration, allowing it to hide from both predators and unsuspecting prey. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-30 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 35 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding A fierce hunter of other insects, ambushing them in sandy habitats. - **Primary Foods:** Flies (Diptera), Bees (Hymenoptera), Small beetles (Coleoptera), Moths (Lepidoptera) - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — A common meal, snatched from the air. - **Hunts:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Catches bees visiting nearby coastal flowers. - **Hunts:** Mourning Digger Wasp (*Podalonia luctuosa*) — A swift predator that also hunts insects in sandy areas. - **Eaten by:** [Common Tern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-tern) (*Sterna hirundo*) — Coastal birds like terns may prey on adult robber flies. ## Traits - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These flies are not harmful, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Beach Robber Fly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Beach Robber Fly's wingspan? 15-30 mm ### How big is Beach Robber Fly? 10-15 mm ### How long does Beach Robber Fly live? 20-40 days ### How fast can Beach Robber Fly fly? 35 km/h ### What does Beach Robber Fly eat? A fierce hunter of other insects, ambushing them in sandy habitats. ### Where is Beach Robber Fly usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Beach Robber Fly hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Bodie Island Lifesaving and Coast Guard Station](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bodie-island-lifesaving-and-coast-guard-station) — North Carolina, US · Historic Site ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Beach Robber Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/beach-robber-fly)