Hanging Thieves
Diogmites
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Diptera
- Superfamily: Asiloidea
- Family: Asilidae
- Subfamily: Dasypogoninae
- Genus: Diogmites
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Diogmites: //daɪˈɒɡmɪtiːz//
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Summary
Diogmites is a genus of neotropical robber flies known for their ambush predation and unique feeding posture, contributing to their common name 'Hanging Thieves'. They are primarily found in woodland and open areas across a substantial geographic range, exhibiting significant diversity in behavior and morphology.
Physical Characteristics
Medium to large-sized robber flies (17–48 mm) with mostly minute body hair, thoracal bristles mostly confined to a row on the mesonotum and two bristles on the scutellum. Antennae have a slender third article that forms over half of the length and carries a single, minute apical hair. The face is narrower than the width of one eye, and the abdomen is slender, sometimes slightly constricted. Body coloration is often predominantly straw-yellowish to orange-reddish, with some species darker brown to black. Legs are comparatively long with prominent bristles, and claws of the hind legs are less than twice as long as the pulvilli.
Identification Tips
Adults can be identified by their characteristic hanging feeding posture and by the arrangement of bristles on their bodies, particularly the thoracal and facial bristles.
Habitat
Woodlands and more open areas; primarily found in environments where they can ambush flying insects.
Distribution
Found in the US extending to northern Argentina; 12 species occur east of the Mississippi River, with several widely distributed throughout the country.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects, especially aculeate Hymenoptera, but also Odonata and Diptera, including members of its own species.
Life Cycle
Oviposits in the ground with spined ovipositor to aid in covering eggs. Larvae are possibly predators in soil; specific information is lacking.
Reproduction
Genus exhibits courtship behavior, with females laying eggs in the soil.
Ecosystem Role
As ambush predators, they help control populations of other insects, thereby playing a role in the ecosystem as predators.
Economic Impact
Some species may cause significant economic damage by preying on honey bees.
Collecting Methods
- Netting adults during flight
- Collecting resting individuals on vegetation
Preservation Methods
- Pinning specimens
- Alcohol preservation for larval forms
Evolution
Analysis of morphological and molecular characters places Diogmites in a clade associated with the subfamily Stenopogoninae, suggesting complex evolutionary relationships.
Misconceptions
Often confused with predatory scorpionflies (Bittacidae) which are called hangingflies but do not share the same feeding habits.
Tags
- Diogmites
- Hanging Thieves
- robber flies
- Asilidae
- predatory insects