# Hanging Thieves (*Diogmites*) Hanging Thieves are unique insects that love to hang out on flowers and plants. They are known for their long legs and can often be seen swinging in the breeze, making them look like they are dancing! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Hanging Thieves](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hanging_Thief_Robber_Fly_%28Diogmites_crudelis%29_%287736461008%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth!, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hanging_Thief_Robber_Fly_%28Diogmites_crudelis%29_%287736461008%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Hanging Thieves is a slender, medium-sized fly, often brown or grayish, with a prominent 'beard' of bristles around its face and large, widely spaced eyes. Its long, spiny legs are adapted for grasping prey, and its clear or slightly tinted wings are quite noticeable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Asilidae - **Genus:** Diogmites ## Interesting facts - Larvae live underground, often preying on grubs and beetle larvae. - Males perform acrobatic mating dances, earning them a 'dance fly' nickname. - Some species mimic bees or wasps to fool predators and prey alike. - They inject paralyzing venom into prey using a dagger-like mouthpart! ## Special abilities - **Ambush Master:** Hanging Thieves can snatch flying insects mid-air with incredible speed because of their powerful, spiny legs that act like a basket. - **Stealth Camouflage:** Hanging Thieves has dull, muted colors that help them blend seamlessly into vegetation, making them nearly invisible to unsuspecting prey. - **Precision Flight:** Hanging Thieves can hover and dart with exceptional agility and speed, which helps them track and intercept fast-moving targets. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-50 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 40 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These expert insect hunters grab other flying insects right out of the air! - **Age differences:** Larvae prey on soil-dwelling insects like grubs, while adults hunt flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** bees, wasps, flies, grasshoppers, moths, beetles - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — A primary food source for many robber fly species. - **Hunts:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Often targeted due to their slow, heavy flight. - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Common prey in open and disturbed habitats. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Adult Hanging Thieves can be prey for insectivorous birds. - **Eaten by:** Black and Yellow Garden Spider (*Argiope aurantia*) — Can get caught in large spider webs. ## 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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [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. - [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 These insects are not harmful, but it's always best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hanging Thieves? 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 Hanging Thieves's wingspan? 25-50 mm ### How big is Hanging Thieves? 15-25 mm ### How long does Hanging Thieves live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Hanging Thieves fly? 40 km/h ### What does Hanging Thieves eat? These expert insect hunters grab other flying insects right out of the air! ### Where is Hanging Thieves usually found? Wetlands ### How does Hanging Thieves hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Green River State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/green-river-state-park) — Utah, US · State Park ## 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: [Hanging Thieves: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hanging-thieves)