Insect of the Month: Robber Fly....Bee, Fly, Bee Fly or Weird Fly? What is this?
In recent months, I have received a LOT of pictures asking for identifications of a strange insect that seems to be pretty common right now.
It looks like a fly, maybe a bee, maybe a fat dragonfly... perhaps nothing you have ever seen before. It is actually a fly called a robber fly.
They are predatory insects and some can mimic bumble bees. While they are loud fliers and scary, they really aren't threatening to humans. You may not want to pick one up in case it bites, but they don't come after humans to bite.
Robber flies come in a variety of sizes, colors, and looks, but they all have similar "feet", large eyes, and a furry body.
Don't be surprised if you come across one this summer... they sure seem to be the insect of the summer months this year!
It looks like a fly, maybe a bee, maybe a fat dragonfly... perhaps nothing you have ever seen before. It is actually a fly called a robber fly.
They are predatory insects and some can mimic bumble bees. While they are loud fliers and scary, they really aren't threatening to humans. You may not want to pick one up in case it bites, but they don't come after humans to bite.
Robber flies come in a variety of sizes, colors, and looks, but they all have similar "feet", large eyes, and a furry body.
Don't be surprised if you come across one this summer... they sure seem to be the insect of the summer months this year!
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| Photo by Bart Drees |
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| Photo by Bart Drees |
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