6-7-mm

Guides

• Ablautus arnaudi

  Ablautus arnaudi is a small species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Wilcox in 1966. Adults measure approximately 6–7 millimeters in length. The species exhibits sand-colored cryptic coloration and displays distinctive sexual dimorphism in facial hair coloration. Males possess bright white facial hairs and engage in elaborate courtship displays involving leg-waving and rocking movements. Like all Asilidae, this species is predatory in both adult and larval stages.

  Asilidaerobber-flypredatorysexual-dimorphismcourtshipearly-springsand-coloredcrypticleafhopper-predatormystaxfacial-hair-dimorphismextra-oral-digestionvenomoussit-and-wait-predatorplains-habitatsmall-size6-7-mmwhite-facial-hairs-malegold-facial-hairs-femaleleg-waving-displayrocking-displayWilcox-1966Ablautus-revisionCharlotte-Herbert-AlbertsColoradoeastern-plains