robber fly (Holocephala abdominalis) at Ludwig Prairie Preserve IA 653A5999

Here's yet another type of robber fly, though this Holocephala abdominalis is tiny compared to Machimus sadyates. Consequently it consumes much smaller prey - in this case it appears to be a bitty bee. Holocephala abdominalis has a habit of perching at the tip-top of a twig or dead stem as it searches for small flying bugs to seize. Notice how the hind tibia is swollen up big at the bottom like a bad ankle sprain and that key feature helps us identify this small species in the field.

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