Robber-fly
Guides
Nannocyrtopogon atripes
Nannocyrtopogon atripes is a species of robber fly described by Wilcox & Martin in 1936. It belongs to the family Asilidae, a group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species is placed in the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae and tribe Ceraturgini. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in published literature.
Nannocyrtopogon irvinei
Nannocyrtopogon irvinei is a species of robber fly (Asilidae) described by Wilcox & Martin in 1957. It belongs to the tribe Ceraturgini within the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae. As with other members of its family, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Nannocyrtopogon vanduzeei
Nannocyrtopogon vanduzeei is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox and Martin in 1936. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae and tribe Ceraturgini. Like other robber flies, this species is predatory, though specific behavioral and ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Nannodioctria
Nannodioctria is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Wilcox and Martin in 1942. It is currently treated as a synonym of Dioctria, specifically as the subgenus Dioctria (Nannodioctria). The genus belongs to the subfamily Dioctriinae, a group of small, often slender robber flies. Very few observations or specimens have been documented, with only a single iNaturalist observation recorded.
Nannodioctria seminole
A small robber fly in the subfamily Dioctriinae. Members of this genus are among the smallest asilids, typically measuring under 10 mm in length. The specific epithet 'seminole' suggests a connection to Florida or southeastern North America, where the Seminole people historically resided. The genus Nannodioctria contains diminutive predatory flies that hunt in vegetation.
Neoitamus
Bentbristles
Neoitamus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) comprising at least 60 described species. The genus has a worldwide distribution with notable presence in Europe, Asia, and North America. Species within this genus are predatory insects that hunt other insects. The common awl robberfly, Neoitamus cyanurus, has been subject to genome sequencing, revealing a 365.5 Mb chromosome-level assembly.
Neoitamus flavofemoratus
Yellow-thighed Bentbristle
Neoitamus flavofemoratus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. The common name "Yellow-thighed Bentbristle" refers to the distinctive yellow coloration on the femora. As with other robber flies, it is a predatory species. It has been documented in over 1,100 observations on iNaturalist.
Neoitamus orphne
Dark Bentbristle
Neoitamus orphne is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Dark Bentbristle. It belongs to a genus of predatory flies characterized by their robust build and predatory behavior. The species has been documented in North America, particularly in the northeastern United States.
Neomochtherus
Neomochtherus is a large genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) comprising at least 140 described species. These predatory insects are associated with grassland habitats, where they play a role in suppressing other invertebrate populations. The genus includes species of conservation concern, such as the Critically Endangered Neomochtherus pallipes (Devon Red-legged Robberfly).
Neomochtherus californicus
Neomochtherus californicus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Hine in 1909. The species belongs to the tribe Neomochtherini within the subfamily Asilinae. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects known for their agile flight and ambush hunting behavior. The specific epithet "californicus" indicates the species was originally described from California.
Neomochtherus comosus
Neomochtherus comosus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Hine in 1918. It belongs to the tribe Neomochtherini within the subfamily Asilinae. Like other robber flies, it is a predatory insect. Very few observations of this species have been recorded.
Neomochtherus latipennis
Neomochtherus latipennis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Hine in 1909. As a member of the tribe Neomochtherini, it belongs to a group of predatory flies characterized by their hunting behavior. The species has been documented through 76 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by naturalists. Like other robber flies, it likely plays a role as an aerial predator in its habitat.
Neomochtherus pallipes
Devon red-legged robber fly
Neomochtherus pallipes, commonly known as the Devon red-legged robber fly, is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. The species is listed as Critically Endangered in the UK and is endemic to or strongly associated with the Devon region of southwest England. It inhabits species-rich grasslands where it serves as a predator of other insects. Conservation efforts for this species are tied to habitat management practices including cattle grazing that maintains structural diversity in grassland swards.
Neomochtherus piceus
Neomochtherus piceus is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) described by Hine in 1909. It belongs to the tribe Neomochtherini within the subfamily Asilinae. The genus Neomochtherus comprises predatory flies found in grassland habitats. Based on iNaturalist records, this species has been documented in at least 28 observations, indicating it is not exceptionally rare but remains poorly studied in the scientific literature.
Nevadasilus
Nevadasilus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Artigas & Papavero in 1995. The genus is recognized within the diverse Asilidae family, which comprises predatory flies known for their aerial hunting behavior. Records indicate the genus contains species distributed in western North America, particularly associated with arid and semi-arid regions. The genus name reflects its documented occurrence in Nevada and surrounding areas.
Nevadasilus auriannulatus
Nevadasilus auriannulatus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) first described by Hine in 1906. It is one of only two recognized species in the genus Nevadasilus, a small genus endemic to western North America. The species has been documented through 143 iNaturalist observations, indicating moderate but growing awareness among naturalists. As a member of the Asilidae, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though specific ecological studies on this species remain limited.
Nevadasilus blantoni
Nevadasilus blantoni is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) in the genus Nevadasilus. It is a predatory dipteran endemic to the western United States, specifically associated with Nevada and surrounding arid regions. The species is named in honor of entomologist John Blanton. As with other Asilidae, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though detailed studies of its biology remain limited.
Nicocles bromleyi
Nicocles bromleyi is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by George H. Hardy in 1943. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group of relatively small and slender asilids. The genus Nicocles is restricted to the New World, with species distributed primarily in arid and semi-arid regions. This species is poorly known, with no documented observations in major biodiversity databases and limited published biological information.
Nicocles canadensis
Nicocles canadensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Charles Howard Curran in 1923. As a member of the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, it belongs to a group of relatively small, slender robber flies. The genus Nicocles contains several North American species, with N. canadensis representing one of the documented members of this genus. Like other asilids, it is presumed to be a predatory insect, though specific behavioral and ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Nicocles dives
Nicocles dives is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) first described by Hermann Loew in 1866. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group of predatory flies characterized by their stout bodies and aggressive hunting behavior. The species is part of the diverse genus Nicocles, which contains multiple species distributed across various regions. As with other robber flies, N. dives is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though specific behavioral observations remain limited in the available literature.
Nicocles engelhardti
Nicocles engelhardti is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1946. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group characterized by relatively short antennae and modified leg structures. Like other asilids, it is presumed to be an active aerial predator. The species is known from very few records, with limited documentation of its biology and ecology.
Nicocles pictus
Nicocles pictus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Loew in 1866. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae and the genus Nicocles. The species is part of a diverse group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. As with other Asilidae, it is presumed to be an active aerial predator of other insects.
Nicocles politus
Nicocles politus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, originally described by Thomas Say in 1823 as Dasypogon politus. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae. The genus Nicocles is a small group within the diverse robber fly family, which comprises predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. Very little species-specific information has been published about N. politus.
Nicocles rufus
Nicocles rufus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Williston in 1883. The species belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae and is placed in the genus Nicocles. As with other robber flies, it is a predatory insect. Available information about this species is limited, with only four observations documented on iNaturalist.
Nicocles utahensis
Nicocles utahensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Nathan Banks in 1920. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group of small to medium-sized robber flies. The species epithet "utahensis" indicates its association with the state of Utah. Like other robber flies, it is a predatory insect that hunts other insects in flight.
Ommatius
Plumetops
Ommatius is a large and morphologically diverse genus of robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae) within the subfamily Asilinae. The genus contains numerous species distributed across multiple biogeographic regions, with particularly well-documented diversity in the Afrotropical region and the Americas. Species are organized into multiple species groups based on morphological characteristics. Like other Asilidae, members of this genus are predatory as both larvae and adults. The genus has been subject to extensive taxonomic revision due to its high species diversity and complex morphological variation.
Ommatius baboquivari
Ommatius baboquivari is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1936. As a member of the genus Ommatius, it belongs to one of the most diverse genera within this large family of predatory flies. Robber flies in this genus share the characteristic predatory lifestyle of Asilidae, hunting other insects as adults. The species epithet references Baboquivari, likely indicating a type locality or geographic association with the Baboquivari Mountains or region in the southwestern United States.
Ommatius gemma
Ommatius gemma is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Brimley in 1928. As a member of the genus Ommatius, it belongs to one of the most diverse genera within the Asilidae. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects known for their venomous hunting strategy and distinctive facial morphology. The species is part of a family containing over 7,500 described species worldwide, with many species remaining poorly studied.
Ommatius ouachitensis
robber fly, assassin fly
Ommatius ouachitensis is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Bullington & Lavigne in 1984. As with other members of this large predatory fly family, it likely exhibits the characteristic hunting behavior of intercepting insect prey in flight. The specific epithet "ouachitensis" suggests an association with the Ouachita Mountains or Ouachita River region of North America. Like other Ommatius species, it probably perches on vegetation in sunny locations to hunt.
Ommatius tibialis
Northeastern Plumetop
Ommatius tibialis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Northeastern Plumetop. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1823. As a member of the Asilidae, it is a predatory fly with venomous mouthparts used to subdue prey. The genus Ommatius is one of the largest genera within the family, with species distributed across multiple continents.
Ommatius wilcoxi
robber fly, assassin fly
Ommatius wilcoxi is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Bullington & Lavigne in 1984. The genus Ommatius is one of the most diverse genera within Asilidae, with species distributed across multiple continents. Like other assassin flies, O. wilcoxi is predatory in both larval and adult stages. The species is part of a family containing over 7,500 described species worldwide, though many remain poorly known.
Orthogonis stygia
Orthogonis stygia is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1931. The specific epithet 'stygia' references the underworld or darkness, suggesting possible associations with dim habitats or the predatory nature of these flies. Robber flies are predatory insects known for their aggressive hunting behavior and are important components of terrestrial arthropod communities. The genus Orthogonis is part of the diverse Asilidae family, which contains over 7,000 described species worldwide.
Ospriocerus
robber flies
Ospriocerus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing approximately 17 described species. These large, predatory flies are primarily associated with grassland and prairie habitats across western North America. Several species exhibit mimetic coloration resembling spider wasps (Pompilidae), with black bodies and red or orange abdominal markings. The genus has been documented as far north as Canada and south into Mexico. Species such as O. abdominalis represent significant range extensions when found in eastern localities, highlighting the importance of remnant prairie conservation.
Ospriocerus aeacidinus
robber fly
Ospriocerus aeacidinus is a large robber fly (family Asilidae) native to western North America. The species was historically recorded as far east as Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, but has been documented in recent years in relictual hilltop prairie habitats in northwestern Missouri and southwestern Illinois—representing significant eastern range extensions. Adults are active predators with wasp-mimetic coloration. The species is considered a grassland specialist associated with dry prairie remnants, particularly those linked to the Loess Hills landform.
Ospriocerus aeacus
Ospriocerus aeacus is a robber fly species in the family Asilidae. Current taxonomic consensus treats this name as a synonym of Ospriocerus abdominalis (Say, 1824), with the latter name having priority. The species has been used frequently in literature under the O. aeacus designation, but this usage is now considered taxonomically unnecessary. As a member of the genus Ospriocerus, it belongs to a group of large, wasp-mimicking robber flies associated with grassland habitats in western North America.
Ospriocerus brevis
Ospriocerus brevis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Martin in 1968. The species is currently recognized as a synonym of Stenopogon brevis in some taxonomic databases. Robber flies in the genus Ospriocerus are large, predatory flies associated with grassland habitats in western North America.
Ospriocerus latipennis
Ospriocerus latipennis is a robber fly species in the family Asilidae, one of three Ospriocerus species recorded in Canada. It inhabits grassland habitats on the Great Plains. The species has been documented in association with the beetle family Meloidae, though the nature of this relationship requires further investigation. As with other robber flies, adults are presumed to be predatory.
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.
Ospriocerus minos
Ospriocerus minos is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, originally described by Osten Sacken in 1877. The species has been treated as a synonym of Stenopogon minos in some taxonomic databases, indicating ongoing taxonomic uncertainty. As a member of the subfamily Stenopogoninae, it belongs to a group of predatory flies characterized by their streamlined bodies and predatory habits. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only a single iNaturalist record noted.
Ospriocerus tenebrosus
Dark robber fly
Ospriocerus tenebrosus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. The species was originally described by Coquillett in 1904 under the genus Stenopogon and later transferred to Ospriocerus. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Stenopogon tenebrosus in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic uncertainty or reclassification within the Stenopogoninae subfamily. As a member of the robber flies, it belongs to a predatory group of dipterans known for their aerial hunting behavior and distinctive morphology.
Ospriocerus tequilae
Ospriocerus tequilae is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Martin in 1968. The genus Ospriocerus contains large, wasp-mimicking robber flies found in grassland habitats of western North America. The specific epithet 'tequilae' presumably refers to the type locality in Mexico. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Stenopogon tequilae in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic uncertainty in the classification of this group.
Ospriocerus vallensis
Ospriocerus vallensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Martin in 1968. It is one of three Ospriocerus species recorded in Canada, where it occurs in the Intermontane grasslands of southern British Columbia. The species was previously misidentified in collections and literature as O. abdominalis or O. aeacus. The genus Ospriocerus has a documented relationship with the beetle family Meloidae.
Parataracticus
Parataracticus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Cole in 1924. The genus contains seven described species distributed in North America, with most species described by Martin and Wilcox in the mid-20th century. As members of the Asilidae family, species in this genus are predatory flies that capture prey in flight.
Plesiomma unicolor
Plesiomma unicolor is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Loew in 1866. As a member of this predatory family, it likely exhibits the characteristic hunting behavior typical of asilid flies. The species epithet "unicolor" suggests uniform coloration. Available records indicate it is a rarely observed species with limited documentation.
Pogonosoma dorsatum
Eastern Black Chiselmouth
Pogonosoma dorsatum is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) commonly known as the Eastern Black Chiselmouth. The species was originally described as Laphria dorsata by Thomas Say in 1824 before being transferred to the genus Pogonosoma. As a member of the Asilidae, it belongs to a family of predatory flies known for aggressive hunting behavior.
Pogonosoma ridingsi
Pogonosoma ridingsi is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Cresson in 1920. Members of this genus are characterized by distinctively modified facial structures. As with other asilids, this species is presumed to be an active aerial predator.
Polacantha
Polacantha is a genus of robber flies (Asilidae) established by Martin in 1975. The genus contains approximately 10 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Species in this genus are predatory flies that hunt other insects in flight. Most species were described by Martin in his 1975 revision of the genus.
Polacantha arcuata
Polacantha arcuata is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Martin in 1975. The species belongs to a genus of predatory flies known for their robust morphology and aerial hunting behavior. Very few documented observations of this species exist in public databases.
Polacantha composita
Polacantha composita is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, originally described as Asilus compositus by Hine in 1918. Robber flies are predatory dipterans known for their agile flight and aggressive hunting behavior. The genus Polacantha is part of this diverse family of aerial predators.
Polacantha grossa
Polacantha grossa is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Martin in 1975. The species belongs to the subfamily Asilinae and tribe Asilini. As with other robber flies, it is a predatory insect that captures prey in flight. The genus Polacantha is part of the diverse asilid fauna, though specific details about this particular species remain limited in published literature.