# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![bumblebee robberfly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aletsch_fg24.jpg&width=800) Photo: Fritz Geller-Grimm, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aletsch_fg24.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Asilidae - **Genus:** Laphria ## 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 - **Mimicry Master:** Bumblebee robberflies can mimic bees to get close to prey, confusing other insects for an easier catch. - **Aerial Assassin:** Bumblebee robberflies can catch other flying insects mid-air using their powerful legs and agile flight maneuvers. - **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 - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [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. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't touch insects unless you know they are safe. Watch them from a distance! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify bumblebee robberfly? 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 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 ## 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: [Bumblebee Robberfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bumblebee-robberfly)