ExploreInsects

Stenopogon inquinatus

The Stenopogon inquinatus is a fun little fly that loves to buzz around! They are often found near water and are known for their unique, colorful bodies.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Stenopogon inquinatus is a medium-sized robber fly, typically greyish-brown with bristly legs and a distinct "moustache" of hairs around its mouthparts. It has large, prominent reddish-brown compound eyes, giving it excellent vision for hunting.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyAsilidaeGenusStenopogon

Stenopogon inquinatus

Interesting facts

Robber flies often perch on sunny rocks or branches, patiently waiting for a meal to fly by!

Some types of robber flies cleverly mimic bees or wasps to scare away predators!

Their larvae are also fierce hunters, living in soil and eating other insect grubs!

They don't drink nectar; they pierce their prey and slurp out its liquefied insides!

Special abilities

Stenopogon inquinatus can ambush prey with incredible speed and agility, using its sharp eyesight to pinpoint targets.

Stenopogon inquinatus has a powerful venom injected through its proboscis that quickly paralyzes its insect prey.

Stenopogon inquinatus has strong, bristly legs that help them securely grasp struggling prey in flight.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 22-30 mm
Size: 15-20 mm
Lifespan: 14-45 days
Flight Speed: 40 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

This insect is an expert hunter, preying on other insects to get its meals.

Age differences: Larvae are predatory, feeding on small soil-dwelling insects and grubs, while adults hunt flying insects.

Primary Foods

bees
wasps
flies
grasshoppers
beetles

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

honey bee

Apis mellifera

A common flying insect prey for adult robber flies.

hunts

common wasp

Vespula vulgaris

Despite their sting, wasps are prey for these agile hunters.

hunts

migratory grasshopper

Melanoplus sanguinipes

Larger insects like grasshoppers are important food sources.

eaten by

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

This bird preys on various insects, including robber flies.

Traits

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Aerial

Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.

Omnivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

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.