# Red-Footed Cannibal Fly (*promachus rufipes*) The Red-Footed Cannibal Fly is a fascinating insect known for its striking appearance and unique behavior. These flies often hunt other insects, making them exciting to observe in nature! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Gardens, forests, and open fields. - **Also known as:** Cannibal Fly, Predatory Fly, Red-Footed Fly ![Red-Footed Cannibal Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cannibalfly_-_Katilsinek_01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Zeynel Cebeci, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cannibalfly_-_Katilsinek_01.jpg) ## Appearance The Red-Footed Cannibal Fly is a large, robust insect, typically dark gray or black, covered in fine hairs. Its most striking feature is its prominent, bright reddish-orange legs. It possesses a bristly body and large, widely spaced eyes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Asilidae - **Genus:** Promachus ## Interesting facts - Even as larvae, they are tiny predators, hunting other insects beneath the soil. - Their scientific name, Promachus, means "before battle," hinting at their predatory nature. - These fierce hunters often catch insects that are even larger than themselves! - They have huge compound eyes that give them nearly 360-degree vision to spot prey. ## Special abilities - **Mid-Air Maneuvers:** Red-Footed Cannibal Fly can catch other insects in mid-flight because of their incredible speed and agility. - **Paralysis Jab:** Red-Footed Cannibal Fly has a sharp, needle-like proboscis that helps them inject venom and paralyze prey instantly. - **Liquid Lunch:** Red-Footed Cannibal Fly can inject digestive enzymes into their prey, turning their insides into a ready-to-sip liquid meal. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-50 mm - **Size:** 20-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 40 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These powerful hunters eat other flying insects they catch with their strong legs! - **Age differences:** Larvae prey on small soil-dwelling insect larvae. - **Primary Foods:** bees, wasps, grasshoppers, other flies, butterflies - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — a common prey item for adults - **Hunts:** German Yellowjacket (*Vespula germanica*) — a swift-flying stinging insect prey - **Hunts:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — large fuzzy bees caught in flight - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — a bird that catches large insects ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-Footed Cannibal Fly? 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 Red-Footed Cannibal Fly's wingspan? 40-50 mm ### How big is Red-Footed Cannibal Fly? 20-25 mm ### How long does Red-Footed Cannibal Fly live? 20-40 days ### How fast can Red-Footed Cannibal Fly fly? 40 km/h ### What does Red-Footed Cannibal Fly eat? These powerful hunters eat other flying insects they catch with their strong legs! ### Where is Red-Footed Cannibal Fly usually found? Gardens, forests, and open fields. ### How does Red-Footed Cannibal Fly hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Abbeville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abbeville-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Carrleigh Parkway Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carrleigh-parkway-park) — Virginia, US · 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: [Red-Footed Cannibal Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-footed-cannibal-fly)