# Slender Striped Robberfly (*Leptogaster cylindrica*) The Slender Striped Robberfly is a cool insect that loves to fly around and catch other bugs. With its long body and stripes, it looks like a tiny superhero of the sky! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Slender Striped Robberfly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Leptogaster_cylindrica_01.JPG&width=800) Photo: Sanja565658, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leptogaster_cylindrica_01.JPG) ## Appearance The Slender Striped Robberfly has a very thin, long body, often yellowish or brownish with subtle stripes. Its legs are notably long and delicate, making it look a bit like a stilt-walker. It possesses large, prominent eyes for spotting prey. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Asilidae - **Genus:** Leptogaster ## Interesting facts - Despite their fierce hunting skills, they are completely harmless to humans. - Even as a larva, this robberfly is a tiny predator, hunting in the soil! - Their giant eyes can see almost all around them, helping them never miss a meal! - They patiently wait on a leaf, then burst into action faster than a blink! ## Special abilities - **Airborne Acrobat:** Slender Striped Robberfly can catch flying insects in mid-air because of its incredible agility and sharp vision. - **Stealthy Hunter:** Slender Striped Robberfly has a very slender body and long legs that help them blend in while waiting to ambush prey. - **Paralyzing Bite:** Slender Striped Robberfly can quickly paralyze its prey using special venom injected through its needle-like mouthpart. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm - **Size:** 12-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These agile hunters feast on other flying insects they skillfully catch in mid-air! - **Age differences:** Larvae hunt small invertebrates in the soil; adults hunt flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Leafhoppers, Small moths, Mosquitoes - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — a common prey item caught in flight. - **Eaten by:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — a common bird predator in open areas. - **Hunts:** [Fruit Fly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fruit-fly) (*Drosophila melanogaster*) — a small, abundant insect often targeted for food. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [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. - [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. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [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. - [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 Robberflies are not dangerous, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Slender Striped 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 Slender Striped Robberfly's wingspan? 20-30 mm ### How big is Slender Striped Robberfly? 12-18 mm ### How long does Slender Striped Robberfly live? 20-60 days ### How fast can Slender Striped Robberfly fly? 25 km/h ### What does Slender Striped Robberfly eat? These agile hunters feast on other flying insects they skillfully catch in mid-air! ### Where is Slender Striped Robberfly usually found? Grasslands ### How does Slender Striped 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: [Slender Striped Robberfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/slender-striped-robberfly)