Dasypogoninae
Guides
Archilestris
robber fly
Archilestris is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing approximately six described species. These flies are notable within the family for their vivid, aposematic or mimetic coloration, particularly in species such as A. magnificus. The genus belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae and has been documented in Mexico with recent range extensions recorded. Species within this genus are among the candidates for most impressive robber flies due to their striking appearance.
Cyrtopogon tibialis
Cyrtopogon tibialis is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Coquillett in 1904. It belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae, a group characterized by their predatory habits and distinctive morphology. The species epithet "tibialis" refers to a characteristic of the tibia (leg segment), likely indicating a diagnostic morphological feature for identification. Robber flies in this genus are typically found in western North America and are active predators of other insects.
Dioctria
Dioctria is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) in the subfamily Dasypogoninae, forming the tribe Dioctriini alongside Bohartia, Dicolonus, Echthodopa, Eudioctria, and Metadioctria. The genus contains multiple species distributed across the Holarctic region, with documented occurrences in Europe, North America, and Turkey. Species within Dioctria are generally small to medium-sized predatory flies that hunt other insects.
Diogmites coloradensis
A species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, Diogmites coloradensis belongs to the genus Diogmites, commonly known as 'hanging thieves' for their distinctive predatory behavior. The species was described by James in 1933 and is classified within the subfamily Dasypogoninae. Like other members of this genus, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects.
Diogmites contortus
Diogmites contortus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1936. It belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae and the genus Diogmites, commonly known as the 'hanging thieves' for their distinctive prey-handling behavior. Members of this genus are notable among robber flies for their habit of suspending themselves from vegetation while manipulating captured prey.
Diogmites esuriens
Short-striped Hanging Thief
Diogmites esuriens is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Short-striped Hanging Thief. The genus Diogmites is notable for the distinctive 'hanging' behavior of its members, which often dangle from their front or middle legs while manipulating prey with the remaining legs. This species was described by Bromley in 1936 and belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae.
Diogmites fragilis
Diogmites fragilis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, subfamily Dasypogoninae. It belongs to a genus commonly known as "hanging thieves" for their distinctive behavior of suspending from vegetation while manipulating prey. The species was described by Bromley in 1936. Like other members of Diogmites, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though specific behavioral observations for this species are not documented in the provided sources.
Diogmites herennius
hanging thief robber fly
Diogmites herennius is a species of robber fly in the family 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 subfamily Dasypogoninae and is one of approximately 26 species in the genus 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 behavior.
Diogmites misellus
Little Hanging Thief
Diogmites misellus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Little Hanging Thief. The genus Diogmites is notable for its distinctive hunting behavior: members are known as 'hanging thieves' due to their habit of suspending themselves from vegetation by their forelegs while manipulating prey with their remaining legs. This species was described by Loew in 1866.
Diogmites perplexus
Diogmites pritchardi
Pritchard's Hanging Thief
Diogmites pritchardi is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1936. The genus Diogmites, commonly known as "hanging thieves," is recognized for the distinctive behavior of members swinging from their front or middle legs while manipulating prey with the remaining legs. As with other Diogmites species, D. pritchardi is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects.
Diogmites texanus
Diogmites texanus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1934. As a member of the genus Diogmites, it belongs to a group known for large size and striking appearance, often featuring vivid coloration or prominent green eyes. The species is poorly documented in available sources, with most information limited to taxonomic classification rather than detailed natural history.
Efferia kansensis
Efferia kansensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Hine in 1919. The specific epithet "kansensis" indicates Kansas as the type locality. As a member of the genus Efferia, it belongs to a group of medium to large-sized robber flies that are characteristic of North American arid and semi-arid regions. The genus Efferia is taxonomically complex and has undergone significant revision, with some former segregates now recognized as valid genera.
Efferia wilcoxi
Wilcox Hammertail
Efferia wilcoxi is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1940. The species belongs to the genus Efferia, a large and diverse group of predatory flies commonly known as "hammertails" due to the swollen genital capsule in males. As a member of the subfamily Dasypogoninae, this species exhibits the characteristic predatory behavior and morphology typical of robber flies, including large compound eyes, a concave face with a mystax of bristles, and raptorial legs adapted for capturing prey in flight. The specific epithet "wilcoxi" honors an individual, likely an entomologist or collector associated with the type specimen.
Lestomyia
Lestomyia is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) in the subfamily Dasypogoninae, established by Williston in 1883. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed in North America. Members of this genus are predatory flies that hunt other insects in flight.
Lestomyia atripes
Lestomyia atripes is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1937. It belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae, a group of predatory flies known for their aerial hunting behavior. The specific epithet 'atripes' refers to black legs. Very little species-specific information is available in published literature.
Lestomyia strigipes
Lestomyia strigipes is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Curran in 1931. As a member of the subfamily Dasypogoninae, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies. The genus Lestomyia contains multiple species distributed across various regions. Like other asilids, this species is presumed to be an aerial predator, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Lestomyia unicolor
Lestomyia unicolor is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Charles Howard Curran in 1942. It belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae, a group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The specific epithet 'unicolor' suggests uniform coloration, though detailed descriptions of the species remain limited in available literature. As a member of the Asilidae, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, but species-specific biological data are sparse.
Ospriocerus longulus
Ospriocerus longulus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. It belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae. The species was originally described by Loew in 1866 under the name Stenopogon longulus. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects that capture other flying insects in flight. The genus Ospriocerus contains species distributed across western North America, with some species representing significant range extensions when found in relictual prairie habitats.
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.
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 bryanti
Saropogon bryanti is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. It belongs to the genus Saropogon, a group of predatory flies within the subfamily Dasypogoninae. Like other robber flies, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented. The species has been recorded from limited observations, with six documented occurrences in iNaturalist as of the source date.
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 luteus
Saropogon luteus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Coquillett in 1904. It belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae and tribe Saropogonini. The species epithet 'luteus' (Latin for yellow or golden-yellow) likely refers to its coloration. Like other members of the genus Saropogon, it is a predatory fly that captures other insects in flight.
Saropogon mohawki
robber fly, assassin fly
Saropogon mohawki is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. It belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae and tribe Saropogonini. The genus Saropogon is part of the Nearctic fauna north of Mexico, with species reviewed in a 2023 taxonomic revision. Like other Asilidae, this species is a predatory fly, though specific ecological details remain undocumented.
Saropogon pritchardi
Saropogon pritchardi is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Bromley in 1934. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects known for their venomous attacks on other arthropods. The genus Saropogon occurs in the Nearctic region, with species distributed across North America. Specific details about the biology and ecology of S. pritchardi remain limited in published literature.
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 pyrodes
Saropogon pyrodes is a species of robber fly (Asilidae) described in 2022 from Arizona, USA. First collected in 1964, the species remained undescribed for nearly 60 years until community science photographs posted to online identification platforms prompted formal taxonomic study. The species exhibits distinctive 'fire-like' coloration and yellowish wings in both sexes—a notable departure from the sexual dimorphism in wing coloration typical of many congeners, where males usually have brown wings and females yellowish wings. As a member of the subfamily Dasypogoninae, it is presumed to be a predatory fly with potential preference for hymenopteran prey, though specific dietary data for this species are lacking.
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.