Robber Fly – Laphria canis


Robber Fly – Laphria canis

color photo Robber Fly Laphria canis with wasp prey

Family Asilidae – Robber Flies
Live adult robber flies photographed in the wild at various North American locations.

This robber fly is sucking the bodily fluids from a freshly caught braconid wasp. If you look closely, you can see the proboscis inserted into the head of the wasp.

color photo Robber Fly Laphria canis

Courtship behavior consists of the male glomming onto the female as if she were prey. Copulation is accomplished tail-to-tail, with the genitalia interlocked. The duo has no trouble flying around in this condition; the male generally towing the female backwards.

color photo Robber Fly Laphria canis with wasp prey

The short, strong proboscis is used to stab and inject victims with saliva containing neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes which paralyze and digest the insides; the fly then sucks the liquefied meal much like we vacuum up an ice cream soda through a straw.

color photo Robber Fly Laphria canis eyes detail

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Tree Encyclopedia / North American Insects & Spiders

Online since 2002