Facial-mystax

Guides

• Ablautus trifarius

  Loew Prospector

  Ablautus trifarius is a small robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Loew in 1866. Adults measure approximately 6–7 millimeters and are sand-colored, making them difficult to detect in their natural environment. The species is predatory in both larval and adult stages, preying on insects smaller than themselves such as leafhoppers. Males exhibit distinctive courtship behavior involving aerial displays, leg-waving, and rocking movements.

  Asilidaerobber-flypredatorycourtship-behaviorsand-coloredearly-springleafhopper-predatorsexual-dimorphismfacial-mystax