Kite-Tailed Robberfly
ExploreInsects
Kite-Tailed Robberfly
tolmerus atricapillus
The Kite-Tailed Robberfly (Tolmerus atricapillus) is a highly efficient predatory insect belonging to the robberfly family, Asilidae. Renowned for its spectacular aerial hunting skills, this medium-sized fly spends much of its time perched on sunny leaves or fence posts, scanning the environment with its large, sensitive compound eyes. Once it spots an insect flying nearby, it launches with rapid speed to ambush and intercept its prey mid-air, gripping it securely with strong, bristled legs. It plays an important role in controlling agricultural and garden pest populations, making it an ecologically valuable species.
Habitat: Found along sunny woodland edges, clearings, hedgerows, and overgrown grassy fields where low perches are abundant.
Appearance
This species measures between 1.2 to 1.8 cm in length, featuring a slender, dusty-gray to brown body covered in fine hairs. It is identified by its large, bulging dark eyes separated by a dense cluster of bristles on its face, known as a mystax. Its legs are robust, dark, and armed with prominent spines, with a characteristic reddish-brown band near the base of the tibiae. The wings are translucent with distinct veins and lie flat over the abdomen when perched. The common name arises from the elongated, wedge-like shape of the terminal abdominal segments, which resemble a tiny kite.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyAsilidaeGenusTolmerus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Despite their intimidating appearance and venomous bite used on prey, they are completely harmless to humans and will only bite if handled very roughly.
Kite-Tailed Robberfly larvae are underground predators that actively tunnel through soil to hunt for beetle grubs and grasshopper eggs.
The bristly 'mustache' on a robberfly's face, called a mystax, is actually a shield that protects its eyes from the thrashing legs of struggling prey.
Special abilities
Ability
Predictive Interception
Calculates the intercept path of moving prey mid-flight to capture them rapidly, rather than simply chasing them from behind.
Ability
Extraoral Digestion
Injects a potent neurotoxic saliva that instantly paralyzes prey and liquefies their internal tissues for easy feeding.
Ability
Raptorial Leg Basket
Uses heavily bristled, strong legs to form a secure cage that prevents captured insects from escaping during aerial flight.
Diet & Feeding
An aggressive aerial predator that hunts a wide variety of flying insects, grasping them mid-air and draining their liquefied insides.
Age differences: Larvae live underground and feed on beetle larvae and soft-bodied soil organisms, while adults hunt flying insects.
Primary Foods
- Flies
- Bees
- Wasps
- Beetles
- Leafhoppers
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
hunts
European Honeybee
Apis mellifera
Hunts and feeds on this common pollinator in mid-air.
hunts
Common Green Bottle Fly
Lucilia sericata
Predates on this common fly species near woodland margins.
eaten by
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Is caught and eaten by this agile aerial bird during summer feeding runs.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Collections for this object will appear here as more themes are added.
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Kite-Tailed Robberfly?
The easiest way to identify Kite-Tailed Robberfly is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
What does Kite-Tailed Robberfly eat?
An aggressive aerial predator that hunts a wide variety of flying insects, grasping them mid-air and draining their liquefied insides.
Where is Kite-Tailed Robberfly usually found?
Found along sunny woodland edges, clearings, hedgerows, and overgrown grassy fields where low perches are abundant.
How does Kite-Tailed Robberfly hunt?
Ambush
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
