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bumblebee robberfly

Laphria flava

The bumblebee robberfly is a cool insect that looks like a fuzzy bumblebee! It loves to fly around flowers and catch other bugs to eat. This special fly helps keep nature balanced.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The bumblebee robberfly has a stout, fuzzy body with striking black and yellow-orange markings, closely resembling a bumblebee. It is visually distinguished by its large, widely spaced eyes and a stout, pointed proboscis.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyAsilidaeGenusLaphria
bumblebee robberfly
furry trait badgeaerial trait badgegrassland trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
bumblebee robberfly

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Female robberflies lay eggs in soil or rotting wood, far from their hunting grounds!

Their powerful eyes have thousands of lenses, giving them incredible hunting vision!

They are not bees at all, but rather fierce flies disguised as gentle pollinators!

They belong to a family called 'assassin flies' because they are such skilled hunters!

Special abilities

Ability

Mimicry Master

Bumblebee robberflies can mimic bees to get close to prey, confusing other insects for an easier catch.

Ability

Aerial Assassin

Bumblebee robberflies can catch other flying insects mid-air using their powerful legs and agile flight maneuvers.

Ability

Venomous Proboscis

Bumblebee robberflies have a strong proboscis that injects venom to quickly paralyze their captured insect prey.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
25-50 mm
Size
15-25 mm
Lifespan
20-40 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

These fierce hunters swoop down to catch other insects right out of the air.

Primary Foods

  • Bees
  • Wasps
  • Flies
  • Grasshoppers
  • Moths

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

A common prey item caught in flight.

hunts

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

Mimicry helps them approach and hunt bees.

hunts

House Fly

Musca domestica

Other flies are a frequent target.

eaten by

Magpie

Pica pica

Birds can prey on these large flies.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't touch insects unless you know they are safe. Watch them from a distance!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bumblebee robberfly's wingspan?

25-50 mm

How big is bumblebee robberfly?

15-25 mm

How long does bumblebee robberfly live?

20-40 days

How fast can bumblebee robberfly fly?

15 km/h

What does bumblebee robberfly eat?

These fierce hunters swoop down to catch other insects right out of the air.

Where is bumblebee robberfly usually found?

Grasslands

How does bumblebee robberfly hunt?

Ambush

How many legs does bumblebee robberfly have?

6

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