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Stripe-legged Robber Fly

Dioctria hyalipennis

The Stripe-legged Robber Fly is a cool insect with long legs and big eyes! It loves to catch other bugs in mid-air, making it a great hunter in the garden.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Stripe-legged Robber Fly is a slender insect with a shiny black body and clear, delicate wings. Its black legs feature distinct bright yellow or orange bands, giving it its striped appearance. It has large, prominent eyes that dominate its head.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyAsilidaeGenusDioctria
Stripe-legged Robber Fly
striped trait badgesolitary trait badgeaerial trait badgegrassland trait badge
Stripe-legged Robber Fly

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

After catching prey, it injects a special digestive fluid to liquefy its meal from the inside!

Its huge eyes have thousands of tiny lenses, making it a super sharp hunter!

Its larvae live in the soil and are also fierce predators, hunting tiny worms and other grubs!

Some species even mimic buzzing bees or wasps, tricking predators into leaving them alone!

Special abilities

Ability

Aerial Ambush Master

Stripe-legged Robber Fly can dart out from a perch to snatch flying prey directly from the air with incredible speed and agility.

Ability

Paralyzing Proboscis

Stripe-legged Robber Fly has a strong, dagger-like proboscis that delivers paralyzing venom to quickly subdue its insect victims.

Ability

360-Degree Vision

Stripe-legged Robber Fly has large, multifaceted compound eyes that help them track and pinpoint even the fastest moving prey.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
15-30 mm
Size
8-15 mm
Lifespan
30-60 days
Flight Speed
25 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

A fierce hunter of other insects, catching them right out of the air!

Age differences: Larvae are predators of small soil invertebrates, while adults hunt flying insects.

Primary Foods

  • Flies
  • Gnats
  • Leafhoppers
  • Aphids
  • Small bees

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

House Fly

Musca domestica

Preys on adult flies

hunts

Black Bean Aphid

Aphis fabae

Eats various small insects

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

Preyed upon by birds

eaten by

European Garden Spider

Araneus diadematus

Can get caught in webs

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These flies are not dangerous, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stripe-legged Robber Fly's wingspan?

15-30 mm

How big is Stripe-legged Robber Fly?

8-15 mm

How long does Stripe-legged Robber Fly live?

30-60 days

How fast can Stripe-legged Robber Fly fly?

25 km/h

What does Stripe-legged Robber Fly eat?

A fierce hunter of other insects, catching them right out of the air!

Where is Stripe-legged Robber Fly usually found?

Grasslands

How does Stripe-legged Robber Fly hunt?

Ambush

How many legs does Stripe-legged Robber Fly have?

6

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Where to spot

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