Robber-fly
Guides
Pritchardomyia
Pritchardomyia is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Wilcox in 1965. The genus contains at least one described species, Pritchardomyia vespoides. As members of Asilidae, species in this genus are predatory flies. The genus is relatively poorly documented in scientific literature.
Proctacanthella exquisita
Proctacanthella exquisita is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Osten Sacken in 1887. As a member of the genus Proctacanthella, it belongs to a group of predatory flies known for their active hunting behavior. The specific epithet "exquisita" suggests distinctive or refined characteristics, though detailed species-level documentation remains limited.
Proctacanthella robusta
Proctacanthella robusta is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1951. The genus Proctacanthella comprises predatory flies characterized by their robust build and predatory habits. As a member of the Asilidae family, this species is presumed to be an active aerial predator of other insects.
Proctacanthella willistoni
Proctacanthella willistoni is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Fisher and Wilcox in 1987. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects that hunt other arthropods. The specific epithet honors entomologist Samuel Wendell Williston, a prominent figure in early American dipterology.
Proctacanthus
Marauders
Proctacanthus is a genus of large robber flies (family Asilidae) comprising approximately 18 described species distributed primarily in North America. These predatory insects are characterized by their robust build, prominent facial beard, and aggressive hunting behavior. The genus name translates from Greek as 'spiny butt' or 'spiny rear', referring to a distinctive morphological feature. Species within this genus are notable for their ferocious predation on other insects, with some species showing strong dietary preferences for particular prey types such as grasshoppers.
Proctacanthus brevipennis
Proctacanthus brevipennis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, characterized by the genus name meaning 'spiny butt' in reference to abdominal features. The specific epithet 'brevipennis' refers to short wings. Like other members of Proctacanthus, it is presumed to be a large, predatory fly with a prominent mystax (beard).
Proctacanthus fulviventris
Proctacanthus fulviventris is a large robber fly in the nominate subfamily Asilinae, reaching 25–30 mm in length. The species is a Florida near-endemic with its distribution extending minimally into southern Georgia. It is distinguished by a bright yellow mystax (beard), black femora with red tibiae, and reddish abdominal terga. Females have been observed ovipositing in loose sandy soils.
Proctacanthus hinei
Western Red-tailed Marauder
Proctacanthus hinei is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) known as the Western Red-tailed Marauder. It belongs to a genus of large, predatory flies characterized by prominent beards and aggressive hunting behavior. The species is distinguished from congeners by reddish femora and occurrence in the central United States. Like other Proctacanthus species, it preys primarily on other insects and has a life cycle involving soil-dwelling larvae.
Proctacanthus micans
Proctacanthus micans is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. It belongs to a genus of large, predatory flies characterized by prominent facial beards and spiny abdomens. The genus name translates to 'spiny butt' in reference to this abdominal armature. Like other Proctacanthus species, it is presumed to be an active predator of other insects and to have a life cycle involving soil-dwelling larvae.
Proctacanthus nigriventris
Proctacanthus nigriventris is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. Like other members of the genus Proctacanthus, it is a large, predatory fly. The genus name derives from Greek, referring to the spiny appearance of the abdomen. Species in this genus are known for their aggressive predatory behavior and soil-associated life cycle.
Proctacanthus occidentalis
Proctacanthus occidentalis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Hine in 1911. The genus Proctacanthus comprises large, predatory flies characterized by a prominent mystax (beard) on the face. Species in this genus are known to lay eggs in soil crevices, with larvae feeding on soil-dwelling insects and organic matter. P. occidentalis is one of several species in the genus distributed across North America, though specific details distinguishing it from congeners remain limited in available literature.
Proctacanthus philadelphicus
northeastern marauder
Proctacanthus philadelphicus, commonly known as the northeastern marauder, is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. As with other members of the genus Proctacanthus, this species is a large, predatory fly. Robber flies in this genus are characterized by their prominent facial beards and aggressive hunting behavior. The specific epithet 'philadelphicus' suggests an association with the Philadelphia region, indicating part of its geographic range.
Proctacanthus rodecki
Proctacanthus rodecki is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by James in 1933. It belongs to a genus of large, predatory flies known for their robust build and prominent facial beard. Like other members of Proctacanthus, this species is presumed to be a formidable aerial predator. The genus name translates to "spiny butt," referring to a characteristic abdominal feature.
Proctacanthus rufus
eastern red-tailed marauder
Proctacanthus rufus, commonly known as the eastern red-tailed marauder, is a predatory robber fly in the family Asilidae. The species was described by Samuel Wendell Williston in 1885. Like other Asilidae, it is an aerial predator that captures prey in flight. The common name references its reddish abdominal coloration and its distribution in eastern North America.
Prolatiforceps fulviventris
Prolatiforceps fulviventris is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, originally described as Asilus fulviventris by Schäffer in 1916. The species was later transferred to the genus Prolatiforceps. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects characterized by their robust build, strong flying ability, and raptorial legs adapted for capturing prey in flight. As a member of the subfamily Asilinae, it belongs to one of the most diverse groups of robber flies.
Promachella
Promachella is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) described by Cole and Pritchard in 1964. The genus contains at least one described species, P. pilosa. Robber flies in this family are predatory insects known for their aerial hunting behavior. Information about Promachella is limited, with few documented observations.
Promachella pilosa
Promachella pilosa is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1937. The genus Promachella is a small group within the diverse Asilidae, with limited published information on its biology and ecology. As with other robber flies, this species is presumed to be a predatory insect, though specific behavioral and ecological details remain undocumented in available sources.
Promachus aldrichii
Promachus aldrichii is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. It belongs to the genus Promachus, commonly known as the 'giant robber flies,' which are large, conspicuous predatory flies. Like other members of its genus, it is a formidable aerial predator capable of capturing a wide range of flying insects. The species was described by Hine in 1911.
Promachus atrox
robber fly
Promachus atrox is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1940. Like other members of the genus Promachus, it belongs to the group commonly known as "giant robber flies." The species is part of a diverse genus of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior and large size relative to other asilids. Specific details about its biology and distribution remain limited in published sources.
Promachus bastardii
false bee-killer
Promachus bastardii, commonly known as the false bee-killer, is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. Like other members of the genus Promachus, it is a large, conspicuous predator that hunts flying insects. The species is part of the 'tiger-striped' group of Promachus species characterized by yellow and black abdominal patterning. It is widely distributed in eastern North America and frequently observed in open habitats such as glades and prairies.
Promachus fitchii
Promachus fitchii is a robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Osten Sacken in 1878. Like other members of the genus Promachus, it is a predatory dipteran. The species is part of the Apocleini tribe within the Asilinae subfamily. Documentation for this species is limited, with 37 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Promachus hinei
Maroon-legged Lion Fly
Promachus hinei is a large robber fly species in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Maroon-legged Lion Fly. It is one of three 'tiger-striped' Promachus species in the eastern United States, distinguished by yellow and black abdominal striping. The species is the most common Promachus in Missouri and is known for its bold predatory behavior, capturing a wide range of flying insects including bees and even hummingbirds.
Promachus painteri
Promachus painteri is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1934. It belongs to the genus Promachus, commonly known as "giant robber flies," which are conspicuous aerial predators. The species is part of the diverse Asilidae family, whose members are known for their predatory behavior on other insects. Specific details about P. painteri's biology and distribution remain limited in published sources.
Promachus sackeni
Promachus sackeni is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. The genus Promachus comprises large, conspicuous predatory flies commonly known as 'giant robber flies.' Like other members of this genus, P. sackeni is a formidable aerial predator capable of capturing substantial flying prey. The species was described by Hine in 1911.
Promachus vertebratus
Promachus vertebratus is a robber fly in the family Asilidae, one of three "tiger-striped" Promachus species in eastern North America characterized by yellow and black abdominal striping. It is distinguished from the more southern P. hinei and more southeastern P. rufipes by specific leg and abdominal coloration patterns. Like other Promachus species, it is a large, conspicuous aerial predator of other insects.
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.
Psilocurus birdi
Psilocurus birdi is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Curran in 1931. As a member of this predatory fly family, it likely exhibits the characteristic hunting behavior of asilids, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented. The genus Psilocurus contains relatively small, slender robber flies compared to some of their more robust relatives.
Psilonyx
Psilonyx is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Aldrich in 1923. The genus contains approximately 14 described species. As members of Asilidae, species in this genus are predatory flies, though specific biological details for most Psilonyx species remain poorly documented.
Psilonyx annulatus
Ringed Pixie
Psilonyx annulatus is a small species of robber fly (family Asilidae) commonly known as the Ringed Pixie. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1823 and is widely distributed across North America. Robber flies in this genus are diminutive predators that hunt small flying insects.
Rhadiurgus
Rhadiurgus is a genus of robber flies (Asilidae) established by Loew in 1849. The genus contains at least one confirmed species, Rhadiurgus variabilis, which occurs in the Holarctic region. Members of this genus are predatory dipterans that hunt other insects in flight.
Rhadiurgus variabilis
Rhadiurgus variabilis is a Holarctic robber fly in the family Asilidae. The species was originally described as Asilus variabilis by Zetterstedt in 1838. Records indicate presence in northwestern Europe including Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Saropogon abbreviatus
Saropogon abbreviatus is a species of robber flies in the family Asilidae, described by Johnson in 1903. Robber flies are predatory insects known for their venomous nature and aerial hunting behavior. The genus Saropogon is part of the Nearctic fauna north of Mexico, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
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 dispar
Saropogon dispar is a robber fly species in the family Asilidae, first described by Coquillett in 1902. It has been documented in Oklahoma and Texas, with observations at Natches Pond, Fort Sill, and Jefferson County. The species is notable for its association with apiaries in Texas, where it has been reported as a significant pest of bees.
Saropogon hypomelas
Saropogon hypomelas is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Loew in 1866. As a member of the genus Saropogon, it belongs to a group of predatory flies that are venomous and feed on other insects. The genus Saropogon was the subject of a 2023 taxonomic review by Charlotte Herbert Alberts, which examined all Nearctic species north of Mexico. Like other assassin flies, S. hypomelas likely plays a role as an aerial predator in its ecosystem.
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 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.
Scleropogon bradleyi
Scleropogon bradleyi is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, a group of predatory dipterans known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species was originally described as Stenopogon bradleyi by Bromley in 1937 before being transferred to the genus Scleropogon. As with other asilids, it likely preys on other insects, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus Scleropogon comprises medium to large robber flies found primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America.
Scleropogon cinerascens
Scleropogon cinerascens is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Back in 1909. Originally described as Stenopogon cinerascens, it was later transferred to the genus Scleropogon. Robber flies are predatory insects known for their robust build, large eyes, and raptorial legs adapted for capturing prey in flight. The specific epithet 'cinerascens' refers to an ash-grey or ashen coloration, likely describing the species' appearance. As with other Asilidae, this species is presumed to be an active aerial predator of other insects.
Scleropogon coyote
Scleropogon coyote is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1931. The genus Scleropogon comprises predatory flies characterized by their distinctive elongated morphology and aggressive hunting behavior. As a member of this genus, S. coyote likely exhibits the typical asilid predatory lifestyle, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Scleropogon dispar
Scleropogon dispar is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) described by Bromley in 1937. The genus Scleropogon belongs to a diverse family of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. Very little specific information is documented about this particular species.
Scleropogon floridensis
Scleropogon floridensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1951. The genus Scleropogon comprises predatory flies characterized by their elongated bodies and distinctive leg morphology. This species is part of a group of asilids that inhabit sandy or scrub environments. As with other robber flies, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Scleropogon huachucanus
Scleropogon huachucanus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Hardy in 1942. The specific epithet references the Huachuca Mountains of Arizona, suggesting a southwestern U.S. distribution. Like other Asilidae, this species is presumed to be a predatory fly, though specific behavioral and ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus Scleropogon is characterized by distinctive morphological features including a bearded face and elongated body form.
Scleropogon neglectus
Scleropogon neglectus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) in the genus Scleropogon. The species was described by Bromley in 1931, originally placed in the genus Stenopogon. Robber flies in this genus are characterized by their distinctive elongated, beak-like proboscis used for capturing and subduing prey. The genus Scleropogon is notable among Asilidae for its specialized morphology and predatory habits.