Triorla interrupta

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Superfamily: Asiloidea
Family: Asilidae
Subfamily: Asilinae
Genus: Triorla
Species: interrupta

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Triorla interrupta: /triˈɔr.la ɪn.təˈrʌp.tə/

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Images

Summary

Triorla interrupta is a species of robber flies, characterized by its large size, distinctive abdominal markings, and predatory behavior.

Physical Characteristics

20-25 mm in length, large and gray with a distinctive abdominal pattern of dark dashes on segments.

Identification Tips

Look for the long, somewhat rounded ovipositor tip, which is not pointed. The abdominal pattern is distinctive, particularly in the eastern United States.

Habitat

Typically found in open, grassy areas.

Distribution

Eastern United States (from North Carolina to Kansas and Florida to Texas and California); also found in Columbia.

Diet

Triorla interrupta preys on large insects, including grasshoppers, dragonflies, and horseflies.

Ecosystem Role

As a predator, it plays a role in controlling populations of large insects.