Diogmites herennius
(Walker, 1849)
hanging thief robber fly
Diogmites herennius is a of robber fly in the Asilidae, commonly known as a 'hanging thief' for its distinctive habit of suspending from vegetation by its front legs while manipulating prey with the remaining legs. The species belongs to the Dasypogoninae and is one of approximately 26 species in the Diogmites, which occurs primarily in the New World tropics and subtropics. Members of this genus are characterized by their elongated bodies, long legs, and predatory .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Diogmites herennius: /daɪˈɒɡmɪtiːz hɛˈrɛniəs/
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Behavior
Members of the Diogmites are known as 'hanging thieves' due to their characteristic of hanging from vegetation by their front or middle pair of legs while using the remaining legs to manipulate and consume prey. This distinctive posture is unique among robber flies and serves as a key behavioral identifier for the genus.
Ecological Role
As a predatory robber fly, Diogmites herennius functions as an aerial and ambush of other insects. Robber flies in the Diogmites have been observed capturing prey as large as and , injecting paralytic compounds and digestive through their stout beak-like mouthparts.