Asilidae
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Proctacanthus
Marauders
Proctacanthus is a genus of large robber flies (family Asilidae) comprising approximately 18 described species distributed primarily in North America. These predatory insects are characterized by their robust build, prominent facial beard, and aggressive hunting behavior. The genus name translates from Greek as 'spiny butt' or 'spiny rear', referring to a distinctive morphological feature. Species within this genus are notable for their ferocious predation on other insects, with some species showing strong dietary preferences for particular prey types such as grasshoppers.
Proctacanthus brevipennis
Proctacanthus brevipennis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, characterized by the genus name meaning 'spiny butt' in reference to abdominal features. The specific epithet 'brevipennis' refers to short wings. Like other members of Proctacanthus, it is presumed to be a large, predatory fly with a prominent mystax (beard).
Proctacanthus fulviventris
Proctacanthus fulviventris is a large robber fly in the nominate subfamily Asilinae, reaching 25–30 mm in length. The species is a Florida near-endemic with its distribution extending minimally into southern Georgia. It is distinguished by a bright yellow mystax (beard), black femora with red tibiae, and reddish abdominal terga. Females have been observed ovipositing in loose sandy soils.
Proctacanthus hinei
Western Red-tailed Marauder
Proctacanthus hinei is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) known as the Western Red-tailed Marauder. It belongs to a genus of large, predatory flies characterized by prominent beards and aggressive hunting behavior. The species is distinguished from congeners by reddish femora and occurrence in the central United States. Like other Proctacanthus species, it preys primarily on other insects and has a life cycle involving soil-dwelling larvae.
Proctacanthus nigriventris
Proctacanthus nigriventris is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. Like other members of the genus Proctacanthus, it is a large, predatory fly. The genus name derives from Greek, referring to the spiny appearance of the abdomen. Species in this genus are known for their aggressive predatory behavior and soil-associated life cycle.
Proctacanthus occidentalis
Proctacanthus occidentalis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Hine in 1911. The genus Proctacanthus comprises large, predatory flies characterized by a prominent mystax (beard) on the face. Species in this genus are known to lay eggs in soil crevices, with larvae feeding on soil-dwelling insects and organic matter. P. occidentalis is one of several species in the genus distributed across North America, though specific details distinguishing it from congeners remain limited in available literature.
Proctacanthus philadelphicus
northeastern marauder
Proctacanthus philadelphicus, commonly known as the northeastern marauder, is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. As with other members of the genus Proctacanthus, this species is a large, predatory fly. Robber flies in this genus are characterized by their prominent facial beards and aggressive hunting behavior. The specific epithet 'philadelphicus' suggests an association with the Philadelphia region, indicating part of its geographic range.
Proctacanthus rodecki
Proctacanthus rodecki is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by James in 1933. It belongs to a genus of large, predatory flies known for their robust build and prominent facial beard. Like other members of Proctacanthus, this species is presumed to be a formidable aerial predator. The genus name translates to "spiny butt," referring to a characteristic abdominal feature.
Proctacanthus rufus
eastern red-tailed marauder
Proctacanthus rufus, commonly known as the eastern red-tailed marauder, is a predatory robber fly in the family Asilidae. The species was described by Samuel Wendell Williston in 1885. Like other Asilidae, it is an aerial predator that captures prey in flight. The common name references its reddish abdominal coloration and its distribution in eastern North America.
Prolatiforceps
Prolatiforceps is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Martin in 1975. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Asilinae and tribe Asilini. The genus is rarely documented, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist. As with other robber flies, species in this genus are predatory as adults.
Prolatiforceps fulviventris
Prolatiforceps fulviventris is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, originally described as Asilus fulviventris by Schäffer in 1916. The species was later transferred to the genus Prolatiforceps. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects characterized by their robust build, strong flying ability, and raptorial legs adapted for capturing prey in flight. As a member of the subfamily Asilinae, it belongs to one of the most diverse groups of robber flies.
Promachella
Promachella is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) described by Cole and Pritchard in 1964. The genus contains at least one described species, P. pilosa. Robber flies in this family are predatory insects known for their aerial hunting behavior. Information about Promachella is limited, with few documented observations.
Promachella pilosa
Promachella pilosa is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1937. The genus Promachella is a small group within the diverse Asilidae, with limited published information on its biology and ecology. As with other robber flies, this species is presumed to be a predatory insect, though specific behavioral and ecological details remain undocumented in available sources.
Promachus aldrichii
Promachus aldrichii is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. It belongs to the genus Promachus, commonly known as the 'giant robber flies,' which are large, conspicuous predatory flies. Like other members of its genus, it is a formidable aerial predator capable of capturing a wide range of flying insects. The species was described by Hine in 1911.
Promachus fitchii
Promachus fitchii is a robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Osten Sacken in 1878. Like other members of the genus Promachus, it is a predatory dipteran. The species is part of the Apocleini tribe within the Asilinae subfamily. Documentation for this species is limited, with 37 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Promachus sackeni
Promachus sackeni is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. The genus Promachus comprises large, conspicuous predatory flies commonly known as 'giant robber flies.' Like other members of this genus, P. sackeni is a formidable aerial predator capable of capturing substantial flying prey. The species was described by Hine in 1911.
Promachus vertebratus
Promachus vertebratus is a robber fly in the family Asilidae, one of three "tiger-striped" Promachus species in eastern North America characterized by yellow and black abdominal striping. It is distinguished from the more southern P. hinei and more southeastern P. rufipes by specific leg and abdominal coloration patterns. Like other Promachus species, it is a large, conspicuous aerial predator of other insects.
Pseudorus
Pseudorus is a genus of robber flies (Asilidae) established by Walker in 1851. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Megapodini within the subfamily Dasypogoninae. The genus is characterized by large-bodied flies with notably enlarged hind femora, a trait reflected in its tribal affiliation. As with other Asilidae, species in this genus are predatory as adults.
Psilocurus
Psilocurus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing approximately 13-14 described species. These predatory dipterans are part of the diverse asilid fauna, though specific biological details for most species remain poorly documented. The genus was established by Hermann Loew in 1874.
Psilonyx
Psilonyx is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Aldrich in 1923. The genus contains approximately 14 described species. As members of Asilidae, species in this genus are predatory flies, though specific biological details for most Psilonyx species remain poorly documented.
Psilonyx annulatus
Ringed Pixie
Psilonyx annulatus is a small species of robber fly (family Asilidae) commonly known as the Ringed Pixie. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1823 and is widely distributed across North America. Robber flies in this genus are diminutive predators that hunt small flying insects.
Rhadiurgus
Rhadiurgus is a genus of robber flies (Asilidae) established by Loew in 1849. The genus contains at least one confirmed species, Rhadiurgus variabilis, which occurs in the Holarctic region. Members of this genus are predatory dipterans that hunt other insects in flight.
Rhadiurgus variabilis
Rhadiurgus variabilis is a Holarctic robber fly in the family Asilidae. The species was originally described as Asilus variabilis by Zetterstedt in 1838. Records indicate presence in northwestern Europe including Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Saropogon
robber flies, assassin flies
Saropogon is a genus of predatory robber flies (Asilidae) comprising at least 128 described species globally. The genus is distinguished by a stout, often twisted spur at the antero-ventral apex of the fore tibiae, open cell m3 on the wing, and an antennal stylus with a single element. Nearctic species north of Mexico include 19 recognized species, with many exhibiting pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration and wing patterns. Adults are venomous aerial predators that immobilize prey through extra-oral digestion initiated by injected venom.
Saropogon albifrons
Saropogon albifrons is a species of assassin fly (family Asilidae) described by Back in 1904. It belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae and tribe Saropogonini. Like other members of the genus Saropogon, it is a predatory fly with venomous capabilities. The species is part of the Nearctic fauna, with documented observations primarily from western North America.
Saropogon coquilletti
Saropogon coquilletti is a species of assassin fly (family Asilidae) first described by Back in 1909. It belongs to the genus Saropogon, which was reviewed for Nearctic species north of Mexico by Charlotte Herbert Alberts as part of her dissertation research on assassin fly systematics. Like other members of the Asilidae, this species is a predatory fly with venomous capabilities. The species is part of a group that has received recent taxonomic attention due to the discovery and description of related new species in the southwestern United States.
Saropogon hypomelas
Saropogon hypomelas is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Loew in 1866. As a member of the genus Saropogon, it belongs to a group of predatory flies that are venomous and feed on other insects. The genus Saropogon was the subject of a 2023 taxonomic review by Charlotte Herbert Alberts, which examined all Nearctic species north of Mexico. Like other assassin flies, S. hypomelas likely plays a role as an aerial predator in its ecosystem.
Saropogon purus
Saropogon purus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Curran in 1930. It belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae and tribe Saropogonini. As with other Asilidae, this species is a predatory fly, though specific ecological details for S. purus remain undocumented in available sources.
Saropogon semiustus
Saropogon semiustus is a species of assassin fly (family Asilidae) described by Coquillett in 1904. It belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae and tribe Saropogonini. As with other members of the genus Saropogon, it is a predatory fly, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented. The genus Saropogon has been the subject of recent taxonomic revision work focusing on Nearctic species.
Saropogon senex
Saropogon senex is a species of assassin fly (family Asilidae) described by Osten Sacken in 1887. As a member of the genus Saropogon, it belongs to the tribe Saropogonini within the subfamily Dasypogoninae. The genus Saropogon is part of a taxonomic group that has been subject to recent revisionary work for the Nearctic fauna north of Mexico. Assassin flies in this genus, like other Asilidae, function as aerial predators of other arthropods.
Scleropogon bradleyi
Scleropogon bradleyi is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, a group of predatory dipterans known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species was originally described as Stenopogon bradleyi by Bromley in 1937 before being transferred to the genus Scleropogon. As with other asilids, it likely preys on other insects, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus Scleropogon comprises medium to large robber flies found primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America.
Scleropogon cinerascens
Scleropogon cinerascens is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Back in 1909. Originally described as Stenopogon cinerascens, it was later transferred to the genus Scleropogon. Robber flies are predatory insects known for their robust build, large eyes, and raptorial legs adapted for capturing prey in flight. The specific epithet 'cinerascens' refers to an ash-grey or ashen coloration, likely describing the species' appearance. As with other Asilidae, this species is presumed to be an active aerial predator of other insects.
Scleropogon coyote
Scleropogon coyote is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1931. The genus Scleropogon comprises predatory flies characterized by their distinctive elongated morphology and aggressive hunting behavior. As a member of this genus, S. coyote likely exhibits the typical asilid predatory lifestyle, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Scleropogon dispar
Scleropogon dispar is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) described by Bromley in 1937. The genus Scleropogon belongs to a diverse family of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. Very little specific information is documented about this particular species.
Scleropogon huachucanus
Scleropogon huachucanus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Hardy in 1942. The specific epithet references the Huachuca Mountains of Arizona, suggesting a southwestern U.S. distribution. Like other Asilidae, this species is presumed to be a predatory fly, though specific behavioral and ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus Scleropogon is characterized by distinctive morphological features including a bearded face and elongated body form.
Scleropogon neglectus
Scleropogon neglectus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) in the genus Scleropogon. The species was described by Bromley in 1931, originally placed in the genus Stenopogon. Robber flies in this genus are characterized by their distinctive elongated, beak-like proboscis used for capturing and subduing prey. The genus Scleropogon is notable among Asilidae for its specialized morphology and predatory habits.
Scleropogon picticornis
Scleropogon picticornis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, a group of predatory true flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species was described by Hermann Loew in 1866. Like other Asilidae, it possesses a stout body, strong legs with spines for capturing prey, and a distinctive concave facial profile between the eyes. The specific epithet 'picticornis' refers to the painted or marked antennae characteristic of this species.
Scleropogon subulatus
Scleropogon subulatus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Wiedemann in 1828. It belongs to the genus Scleropogon, a group of predatory flies known for their distinctive elongated mouthparts and ambush hunting behavior. The species is part of the diverse Asilidae family, which contains approximately 7,000 described species worldwide. Available observation records indicate this species has been documented in multiple locations, though detailed ecological studies remain limited.
Scleropogon texanus
Scleropogon texanus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) originally described by Bromley in 1931. The species has been reclassified under the genus Stenopogon in some taxonomic treatments, though it remains listed under Scleropogon in other sources. Robber flies in this group are predatory insects known for their active hunting behavior. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Sintoria
Sintoria is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Hull in 1962. The genus contains approximately six described species, all described between 1962 and 1972. Species within this genus are distributed in the Americas, with records from western North America and Central America.
Sintoria cyanea
Sintoria cyanea is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1972. As a member of the diverse robber fly family, it belongs to a group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior and stout, powerful build. The genus Sintoria is part of the Asilidae, one of the largest families within Diptera with over 7,000 described species worldwide.
Sintoria emeralda
Sintoria emeralda is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Hull in 1962. The specific epithet 'emeralda' suggests a green coloration. As a member of Asilidae, this species is a predatory fly. Information regarding its biology, distribution, and ecology remains extremely limited in published sources.
Stenopogon
Stenopogon is a large genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, comprising at least 200 described species. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Stenopogoninae and are distributed across multiple continents. The genus was established by Loew in 1847 and represents a diverse assemblage of predatory flies that share certain morphological and behavioral characteristics.
Stenopogon breviusculoides
Stenopogon breviusculoides is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, subfamily Stenopogoninae. The species was described by Bromley in 1937. As a member of the Stenopogoninae, it belongs to a group of generally small to medium-sized robber flies. Robber flies in this subfamily are predatory insects that capture other arthropods in flight.
Stenopogon breviusculus
Stenopogon breviusculus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, subfamily Stenopogoninae. It was described by Loew in 1872. As a member of the Stenopogoninae, it belongs to a group of generally small to medium-sized robber flies. Very few specific observations or biological details have been published for this particular species.
Stenopogon californiae
Stenopogon californiae is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, subfamily Stenopogoninae. First described by Francis Walker in 1849, this species belongs to a genus of relatively small, predatory flies. Robber flies in this subfamily are characterized by their slender bodies and distinctive predatory behavior. Like other asilids, they are aerial predators that capture other insects in flight.
Stenopogon cazieri
Stenopogon cazieri is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Brookman in 1941. The genus Stenopogon belongs to the subfamily Stenopogoninae, a group characterized by distinctive morphological features and predatory habits. Like other asilids, this species is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects. Very little specific information has been published about this particular species beyond its original description and taxonomic placement.
Stenopogon engelhardti
Stenopogon engelhardti is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) in the subfamily Stenopogoninae, described by Bromley in 1937. The genus Stenopogon belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies characterized by their aerial hunting behavior. Very little specific information is documented about this particular species beyond its taxonomic description.
Stenopogon inquinatus
Stenopogon inquinatus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, subfamily Stenopogoninae. It has been studied for its behavioral thermoregulation in response to thermal variation. As a member of the Asilidae, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though specific prey records for this species are not documented in the available sources.
Stenopogon lomae
Stenopogon lomae is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1971. As a member of the subfamily Stenopogoninae, it belongs to a group of generally small to medium-sized predatory flies. The genus Stenopogon is primarily distributed in western North America. Very little specific information is documented about this particular species.