Asilus crabroniformis
22-29mm
Mid June to
October
Large
predatory robber-fly now restricted to a handful of locations in southern
England. Very localised where it occurs in or around rough grazing pastures,
often preferring sites with a good mix of wildflowers. Unimproved grassland - and
lack of pesticide use is vital to this species.
Female
Male
Mainly seen
perched on old dung or atop a ‘lookout’ spot on vegetation from which it darts
out to grab passing prey, often dung beetles, smaller flies, butterflies or
grasshoppers. When disturbed, short darting flights are made close to the
ground to hop to another perching spot, appears very wasp-like in flight.
Mating pairs
Wings are
clouded orange-brown with darker markings towards edges,very bristly body with strong legs and tarsal claws.
Both sexes
are equally sized but females may appear more bulky. Males have a club ended
abdomen whereas the female abdomen ends in a pointed ovipositor which is used
to lay eggs in large animal dung. The larvae are also predatory, feeding on
beetle larvae and other small invertebrates within the dung and surrounding soil.
One of two male specimens found dead in cattle grazing field on the isle of Wight, antennae are missing.
Illustration - pigment liner, markers & acrylic, A4
Harmless,
but will attempt to pierce skin with beak-like proboscis if handled.
One of the
Britain’s largest fly species.
No comments:
Post a Comment