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ID Help - What UGLY bug is this?
Feb 16, 2013 09:28:42 #
I know the pic is somewhat blown & out of focus but while walking thru a wooded area last summer looking for birds, I turned around & this was staring back at me, just a few feet away. Only time for a quick shot before it vanished into the leaves. So far, I have not been able to find a picture or identify just what this red-legged critter is. Help would be much appreciated. TIA
cropped
Feb 16, 2013 09:37:53 #
I have heard that everything is bigger in Texas but man thats one big mosquitoo
Feb 16, 2013 09:45:10 #
wannabe wrote:
I have heard that everything is bigger in Texas but man thats one big mosquitoo
Bigger & uglier!! I'm guessing some sort of a fly or member of the bee family but haven't been able to get any match on ID no matter what I put in GOOGLE. Thanks for looking.
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Feb 16, 2013 09:49:24 #
Yea it does look like some kind of fly. If you dont mind I will down load it and send to my grandson. He is a bug freek and might have some info on it
Feb 16, 2013 09:52:23 #
Feb 16, 2013 09:53:14 #
wannabe wrote:
Yea it does look like some kind of fly. If you dont mind I will down load it and send to my grandson. He is a bug freek and might have some info on it
Please do. I would really like to know just what it is. I was in the DFW area when I ran across this critter if that helps him to identify what it might be.
Feb 16, 2013 09:55:19 #
susurra wrote:
Looks like a robber fly, with red legs.
Thank you ... I think you may have identified it. I didn't get a chance to see it from the side but the legs & eyes look right to be the same as your picture.
Feb 16, 2013 09:55:28 #
Feb 16, 2013 10:01:37 #
Definitely a fly, didn't need to see the body, that face gave it all away. 98% sure it's a robber fly. (I 'do' a lot of insect macro photography. Maybe too much.) ;)
Here's a description of the robber fly from Wiki:
The family Asilidae contains about 7,100 described species worldwide. All robber flies have stout, spiny legs, a dense moustache of bristles on the face (mystax), and 3 simple eyes (ocelli) in a characteristic depression between their two large compound eyes. The antennae are short, 3-segmented, sometimes with a bristle-like structure called an arista. The short, strong proboscis is used to stab and inject victims with saliva containing neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes which paralyze and digest the insides. Many species have long, tapering
abdomens, sometimes with a sword-like ovipositor. Others are fat-bodied bumblebee mimics. Adult robber flies attack other flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, various bees, dragon and damselflies, Ichneumon wasps, grasshoppers, and some spiders.
Here's a description of the robber fly from Wiki:
The family Asilidae contains about 7,100 described species worldwide. All robber flies have stout, spiny legs, a dense moustache of bristles on the face (mystax), and 3 simple eyes (ocelli) in a characteristic depression between their two large compound eyes. The antennae are short, 3-segmented, sometimes with a bristle-like structure called an arista. The short, strong proboscis is used to stab and inject victims with saliva containing neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes which paralyze and digest the insides. Many species have long, tapering
abdomens, sometimes with a sword-like ovipositor. Others are fat-bodied bumblebee mimics. Adult robber flies attack other flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, various bees, dragon and damselflies, Ichneumon wasps, grasshoppers, and some spiders.
Feb 16, 2013 10:16:53 #
The Wiki description of 3 simple eyes between the two compound eyes is not exactly right. They're located, in a V formation, behind the stubby antennae, similar to a praying mantis. They're easier to see on a mantis because they don't have tufts of hair obscuring them.
You can see the 3 simple eyes on this mantis head shot. Now that you know what to look for, go back to your robber fly shots and you can locate them. It helped to identify the fly.
You can see the 3 simple eyes on this mantis head shot. Now that you know what to look for, go back to your robber fly shots and you can locate them. It helped to identify the fly.
Feb 16, 2013 10:21:42 #
[quote=susurra]Definitely a fly, didn't need to see the body, that face gave it all away. 98% sure it's a robber fly. (I 'do' a lot of insect macro photography. Maybe too much.) ;)
Thanks .. I'll do a bit of research on the Robber Fly but it looks like a close match to me. I don't generally "do" bugs except for Dragonflies/Butterflies.. mostly isolated flowers & birds/squirrels/wildlife from the botanic gardens & nature trails in our area. This guy was a surprise.
Thanks .. I'll do a bit of research on the Robber Fly but it looks like a close match to me. I don't generally "do" bugs except for Dragonflies/Butterflies.. mostly isolated flowers & birds/squirrels/wildlife from the botanic gardens & nature trails in our area. This guy was a surprise.
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Feb 16, 2013 16:16:06 #
GeezerGal wrote:
I know the pic is somewhat blown & out of focus but while walking thru a wooded area last summer looking for birds, I turned around & this was staring back at me, just a few feet away. Only time for a quick shot before it vanished into the leaves. So far, I have not been able to find a picture or identify just what this red-legged critter is. Help would be much appreciated. TIA
I know what i'd call it, Sir. :D
Baz
Feb 16, 2013 18:01:13 #
susurra wrote:
I suggest that you add this mantis photo as your Avatar image. Click on "My Profile" tab, top of this page.You can see the 3 simple eyes on this mantis head shot.
Feb 16, 2013 18:02:05 #
Feb 16, 2013 18:02:26 #
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