# Common Micropanther (*atomosia puella*) The Common Micropanther is a tiny, colorful insect that flutters around flowers. Kids will love spotting its bright patterns while exploring the garden! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 18 - **Habitat:** Common Micropanthers thrive in gardens and meadows filled with vibrant flowers. - **Also known as:** Colorful Flutterbug, Petal Dancer ![Common Micropanther](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Little_Robber_Fly_-_Flickr_-_treegrow.jpg&width=800) Photo: Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Little_Robber_Fly_-_Flickr_-_treegrow.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Micropanther is a small, slender fly with a metallic black body and striking silvery-white markings on its abdomen. It has large, dark compound eyes that dominate its head, and clear, delicate wings. Its overall appearance resembles a tiny, agile predator. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Asilidae - **Genus:** Atomosia ## Interesting facts - Adult micropanthers use their bristly legs like a basket to scoop up flying insects mid-air! - Female micropanthers lay eggs in the soil or on plants, often disguised as dirt or debris! - Their huge eyes have thousands of tiny lenses, giving them incredible 360-degree vision! - Unlike many flies, they often hold their wings folded flat over their backs when resting, like a tiny jet! ## Special abilities - **Venomous Bite:** Common Micropanther has a specialized proboscis that delivers paralyzing venom, which helps them quickly subdue much larger insect prey. - **Stealthy Approach:** Common Micropanther can fly with almost silent wingbeats because of its specialized wing structure, allowing them to approach unsuspecting insects undetected. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 7-10 mm - **Size:** 3-5 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These agile hunters feast on other insects they catch in flight, making them tiny aerial predators. - **Age differences:** Larvae hunt tiny soil insects and grubs underground, differing from adult diet. - **Primary Foods:** flies, small moths, leafhoppers, small bees - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [fruit fly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fruit-fly) (*Drosophila melanogaster*) — An important predator of common fruit flies, helping control populations. - **Hunts:** honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Occasionally preys on honey bees, especially smaller individuals. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — A food source for insectivorous birds like the Eastern Kingbird. - **Hunts:** house fly (*Musca domestica*) — Efficiently hunts house flies, preventing their overpopulation. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Micropanther? 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 Common Micropanther's wingspan? 7-10 mm ### How big is Common Micropanther? 3-5 mm ### How long does Common Micropanther live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Common Micropanther fly? 20 km/h ### What does Common Micropanther eat? These agile hunters feast on other insects they catch in flight, making them tiny aerial predators. ### Where is Common Micropanther usually found? Common Micropanthers thrive in gardens and meadows filled with vibrant flowers. ### How does Common Micropanther hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Arnold Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arnold-arboretum) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Audubon Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-place-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Brookside Reservation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookside-reservation) — Ohio, US · Park - [Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-tuscaloosa-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Gorgas-Manly Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gorgas-manly-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Campus - [Houston Arboretum and Nature Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/houston-arboretum-and-nature-center) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Common Micropanther](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-micropanther) ## 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: [Common Micropanther: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-micropanther)