Robber-flies
Guides
Ablautus
Prospectors
Ablautus is a genus of small robber flies (family Asilidae) containing approximately 14 described species. Adults measure 6–7 millimeters and inhabit arid regions of western and southwestern North America, particularly sandy areas within sagebrush communities. The genus exhibits notable mimicry relationships, with Ablautus mimus known to mimic Lestomyia sabulonum. Species were described primarily by J. Wilcox during 1935–1966, with the genus first established by Loew in 1866.
Asilinae
bearded robber flies, giant robber flies
Asilinae is a large subfamily of robber flies (Asilidae) comprising over 180 genera. Members are commonly referred to as "bearded" or "giant" robber flies depending on genus. The subfamily includes diverse Neotropical taxa and is characterized by specific wing venation and scutellar morphology. Many species remain poorly known biologically despite intensive taxonomic work on the group.
Asiloidea
asiloid flies
Asiloidea is a large superfamily of true flies (Diptera: Brachycera) with cosmopolitan distribution. It comprises approximately 11 families including the well-known Asilidae (robber/assassin flies), Bombyliidae (bee flies), Therevidae (stiletto flies), Mydidae (mydas flies), and Scenopinidae (window flies). Adult morphology is characterized by antennae with no more than 4 flagellomeres, leg empodium usually setiform or absent, and wing venation featuring an elongate cell cup with vein CuA2 ending freely or meeting A1 near the wing margin. Larval synapomorphies include posterior spiracles arising dorsally from the penultimate abdominal segment and, in most families except Bombyliidae and Hilarimorphidae, a modified cranium forming a hinged metacephalic rod.
DipteraBrachyceraAsiloidearobber-fliesbee-fliesstiletto-fliesmydas-flieswindow-fliescosmopolitanarid-habitatspredatory-larvaeflower-visitorsparasitoidsbiological-controlAsilidaeBombyliidaeTherevidaeMydidaeScenopinidaeApioceridaeApsilocephalidaeApystomyiidaeEvocoidaeHilarimorphidaeMythicomyiidaeProtapioceridaephylogenysystematicsvenomouspredatorymystaxmetacephalic-roddichopticholopticJurassicCretaceoustherevoid-cladeNamib-DesertCanary-IslandsSaudi-ArabiaDominicaChileGermanyfossilcybertaxonomyopen-accessZooKeysBohart-MuseumWorld-Robber-Fly-DayAtoniomyia
Atoniomyia is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Hermann in 1912. The genus comprises approximately 14 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. As members of the Asilidae, these flies are predatory in both adult and larval stages. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with Catalogue of Life listing it as a synonym of Atonia, though other sources maintain it as a valid genus.
Bohartia
Bohartia is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Hull in 1958. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published information on its biology and ecology. It belongs to the diverse assemblage of predatory flies characterized by aerial hunting behavior. The genus appears to be rare in collections and field observations, with limited taxonomic study beyond its original description.
Bromleyus
Bromleyus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Hardy in 1944 or 1945. As a member of the diverse Asilidae family, species in this genus are predatory flies. The genus is recognized in major taxonomic databases but appears to be poorly known, with no species-level records in GBIF or observations in iNaturalist.
Callinicus
Callinicus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Loew in 1872. The genus contains approximately five described species. Asilidae are predatory flies known for their robust build and aggressive hunting behavior.
Cophura
Cophura is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Osten Sacken in 1887. The genus comprises at least 50 described species, with 54 species currently recognized. These predatory flies are part of the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae.
Eccritosia
Eccritosia is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, comprising approximately seven described species. The genus was established by Schiner in 1866. Species in this genus are noted for their vivid, aposematic or mimetic coloration, making them among the more visually striking robber flies. The genus occurs in the Americas, with species distributed across North, Central, and South America.
Haplopogon
Haplopogon is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Engel in 1930. As members of the Asilidae, these are predatory flies characterized by their robust build and predatory habits. The genus is poorly documented in modern literature, with limited species-level information available.
Heteropogon stonei
Heteropogon stonei is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1965. The genus Heteropogon belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae. Robber flies in this genus are small to medium-sized predatory flies. Specific details about H. stonei's biology and ecology remain poorly documented in published sources.
Itolia
Itolia is a small genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing five described species. The genus was established by Wilcox in 1936. Species within Itolia are distributed in North America, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other asilids, members of this genus are predatory flies, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented.
Laphriinae
robber flies
Laphriinae is a subfamily of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing over 110 genera and 1,000 described species. Adults are predatory, with many species exhibiting mimicry of bees and wasps. The subfamily is notable for its larval ecology: all species have larvae that prey on wood-boring beetle larvae, primarily in families Buprestidae and Cerambycidae. Some species have specialized host relationships, such as Hyperechia larvae developing within cells of Xylocopa carpenter bees.
Leptogastrinae
Leptogastrinae is a subfamily of robber flies (Asilidae) comprising more than 450 described species. Members are distinguished from other asilids by their slender, elongate bodies and cryptic behavior in vegetation. Unlike the robust, bee-mimicking species common in other subfamilies, Leptogastrinae are nearly invisible as they navigate through tall grasses. They share the predatory habits characteristic of the family Asilidae.
Microstylum
Giant Robber Flies
Microstylum is a genus of large robber flies (family Asilidae) containing at least 130 described species. The genus includes North America's largest robber fly, Microstylum morosum, which reaches 35–50 mm in body length. Species in this genus are characterized by their substantial size relative to other Asilidae and a mystax (facial beard) confined to the oral margin and composed of stout bristles. The genus has a broad distribution with species occurring in North America, the Neotropics, and Madagascar.
Omninablautus
Omninablautus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Pritchard in 1935. The genus contains three described species: O. arenosus, O. nigronotum, and O. tolandi. Robber flies in this family are predatory insects known for their agile flight and ability to capture other insects in mid-air.
Pogonosoma
robber flies
Pogonosoma is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Camillo Rondani in 1856. The genus comprises approximately 17 described species. Members of this genus are predatory dipterans that capture other insects in flight. As part of the diverse Asilidae family, they share the characteristic robust body form and predatory habits typical of robber flies.
Proctacanthella
Proctacanthella is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) comprising approximately eight described species. The genus was established by Bromley in 1934. Species within this genus are predatory, with documented prey recognition behaviors in at least one species.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stichopogoninae
Stichopogoninae is a subfamily of robber flies (family Asilidae) comprising approximately 14 genera and at least 230 described species. Members of this subfamily are predatory flies that capture prey in flight. The subfamily was established by Hardy in 1930.
Zabrops
Zabrops is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing eight described species. The genus was established by Hull in 1958. Species within this genus are distributed in North America, with most described by Fisher in 1977. Like other robber flies, members of this genus are predatory as adults.