Efferia
Guides
Efferia albibarbis
Sand Hammertail
Efferia albibarbis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, known as the Sand Hammertail. It belongs to the albibarbis-complex within the genus Efferia and is found in the Grand Canyon region of the southwestern United States. The species has been documented as a predator of tiger beetles, specifically Cicindela hirticollis and Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis.
Efferia argentifrons
Silver-faced Hammertail
Efferia argentifrons is a robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Hine in 1911. The species is characterized by its distinctive silvery facial markings, as indicated by its specific epithet ('argentifrons' = silver-faced). It belongs to a large genus of predatory flies known for their robust build and aggressive hunting behavior. Field observations of this species are sparse, with only three documented observations on iNaturalist, suggesting it may be uncommon or underreported.
Efferia basini
Efferia basini is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. As a member of the genus Efferia, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies found primarily in the Americas. Robber flies in this genus are known for their robust build, strong predatory capabilities, and distinctive morphological features. The specific epithet 'basini' honors an individual, following common practice in entomological nomenclature.
Efferia beameri
Efferia beameri is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1966. As a member of the large genus Efferia, this species belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies found primarily in the Americas. The genus Efferia is one of the most species-rich genera of Asilidae, with many species exhibiting distinctive morphological features and ecological specializations. Specific details regarding the biology and distribution of E. beameri remain poorly documented in published literature.
Efferia bicaudata
Great Plains Hammertail
Efferia bicaudata is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Great Plains Hammertail. The species was originally described as Erax bicaudatus by Hine in 1919 and later transferred to the genus Efferia. A 1964 study in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America examined its distribution, ethology, and egg morphology, representing one of the few detailed biological studies of this species. As a member of the Asilidae, it is a predatory fly that captures other insects in flight.
Efferia cabeza
Efferia cabeza is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1966. The genus Efferia belongs to a group of large, predatory flies commonly known as robber flies, which are characterized by their robust build, large eyes, and predatory behavior. Members of this genus are primarily distributed in the Americas. The species epithet "cabeza" (Spanish for "head") may allude to distinctive head morphology, though specific diagnostic features for this species remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Efferia femorata
Pine-trunk Hammertail
A species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Pine-trunk Hammertail. The species was described by Macquart in 1838 and belongs to the diverse genus Efferia, which contains numerous similar-looking species that are often difficult to distinguish without careful examination.
Efferia gila
Efferia gila is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1966. The genus Efferia comprises predatory flies commonly known as robber flies, characterized by their stout bodies, large eyes, and predatory behavior. This species is part of a diverse genus distributed primarily in the Americas.
Efferia grandis
Great Mesquite Hammertail
Efferia grandis is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Hine in 1919. It belongs to the diverse genus Efferia, which contains many species of predatory flies found primarily in North America. The common name "Great Mesquite Hammertail" suggests an association with mesquite habitats, though specific ecological details remain limited in available sources.
Efferia leucocoma
Efferia leucocoma is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. Robber flies are predatory insects known for their aggressive hunting behavior, capturing other insects in flight. Members of the genus Efferia are generally robust, medium to large-sized flies with characteristic morphological features including a well-developed mystax (beard of bristles on the face). The specific epithet 'leucocoma' refers to white hair-like structures, likely describing some aspect of the species' pubescence or coloration.
Efferia monki
Efferia monki is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1951. Like other members of the genus Efferia, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies characterized by their stout bodies, large compound eyes, and raptorial legs adapted for capturing prey in flight. The species name honors an individual with the surname Monk, though the specific etymology is not detailed in available sources. As with most Efferia species, detailed biological information remains limited in published literature.
Efferia neoinflata
Efferia neoinflata is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. It belongs to a diverse genus of predatory flies distributed primarily in the Americas. The species epithet "neoinflata" suggests a relationship to or distinction from E. inflata, a pattern common in Efferia species nomenclature. As with other robber flies, adults are aerial predators that capture other insects in flight. The genus Efferia was historically treated as a subgenus within a broader concept of Asilus but has been elevated to full generic status in modern classifications.
Efferia ordwayae
Efferia ordwayae is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. Like other members of the genus Efferia, it is a predatory dipteran characterized by a robust body, strong legs adapted for seizing prey, and a prominent mystax of bristles on the face. The genus Efferia is one of the largest genera of robber flies in North America, with species typically associated with open, dry habitats. Specific information about the biology and distribution of E. ordwayae remains limited in the available literature.
Efferia pallidula
Efferia pallidula is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Hine in 1911. As a member of the large and diverse genus Efferia, it shares the characteristic predatory habits and robust morphology typical of this group. The specific epithet "pallidula" suggests pale coloration relative to congeners. Detailed natural history information for this particular species appears limited in the available literature.
Efferia prairiensis
Prairie Hammertail
Efferia prairiensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Prairie Hammertail. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Efferia, which contains many North American species. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects that typically hunt other insects in flight. The specific epithet "prairiensis" suggests an association with prairie habitats.
Efferia producta
White Thorny Hammertail
Efferia producta is a robber fly species in the family Asilidae, described by Hine in 1919. The common name "White Thorny Hammertail" refers to distinctive features of this species. As with other Efferia species, it belongs to a diverse genus of predatory flies known for their robust build and predatory habits. The species has been documented through limited observations on iNaturalist, suggesting it may be relatively uncommon or underreported. Robber flies in this genus are typically associated with arid and semi-arid habitats in western North America.
Efferia rapax
Yellow-haired Hammertail
Efferia rapax is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Yellow-haired Hammertail. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects known for their aggressive hunting behavior, capturing other insects in flight. The species is part of a large and diverse genus of medium to large-sized robber flies distributed primarily in the New World. Specific biological details for E. rapax are limited in published literature.
Efferia spiniventris
Efferia spiniventris is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Hine in 1919. The species belongs to the large and diverse genus Efferia, which is primarily distributed in the New World. Robber flies in this genus are predatory as adults, typically hunting other insects. The specific epithet "spiniventris" refers to spiny ventral characteristics. The genus Efferia has undergone taxonomic revision, with some former subgenera now recognized as distinct genera such as Triorla.
Efferia subcuprea
Chiricahua Hammertail
Efferia subcuprea is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Schäffer in 1916. The species belongs to the genus Efferia, a large and diverse group of predatory flies distributed primarily in the New World. The common name "Chiricahua Hammertail" suggests an association with the Chiricahua region of southeastern Arizona. Robber flies in this genus are generally characterized by their robust build, strong predatory habits, and often distinctive sexual dimorphism, with males typically possessing a swollen terminal abdominal segment.
Efferia subpilosa
Efferia subpilosa is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Schäffer in 1916. The genus Efferia comprises medium to large-sized predatory flies distributed primarily in the New World, with many species occurring in arid and semi-arid regions of North and South America. Members of this genus are characterized by their robust build, prominent compound eyes, and predatory habits. Efferia subpilosa is one of numerous species within this diverse genus, though specific ecological and behavioral details remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Efferia tabescens
Sesqui Hammertail
Efferia tabescens is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Nathan Banks in 1919. The common name "Sesqui Hammertail" refers to this species. Robber flies in the genus Efferia are predatory insects that capture other insects in flight. The species has been documented through 143 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is moderately well-recorded in citizen science databases. As a member of the Asilidae, it shares the family's characteristic predatory behavior and robust body form adapted for aerial hunting.
Efferia tolandi
Efferia tolandi is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. The genus Efferia comprises medium to large-sized predatory flies found primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. Members of this genus are characterized by their robust build, large compound eyes, and predatory habits. Efferia species are often encountered at light traps and are active predators of other insects.
Efferia willistoni
Williston Hammertail
Efferia willistoni is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Williston Hammertail. It is one of approximately 200 species in the genus Efferia, a diverse group of predatory flies distributed primarily in the Americas. The species was described by Hine in 1919. As with other asilids, it is presumed to be an active aerial predator of other insects.
Efferia zonata
Banded Hammertail
Efferia zonata is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Hine in 1919. The species belongs to the Efferia group, a lineage of large, predatory flies formerly treated as a subgenus of Efferia but now widely regarded as comprising valid related genera including Triorla. As a member of this group, E. zonata likely shares characteristics with other large, powerful predatory flies that actively hunt other insects. The specific epithet 'zonata' suggests banded coloration patterning.