Asilida (Robber Fly), El Mojon, Spain
The Asilidae are predators, both in the juvenile stage and the adult stage, and feed on small arthropods, mainly insects. Although predatory forms in the adult stage are present in other taxonomic groups of Diptera, the Asilidae are the most representative for the number of species and for uniformity of feeding behavior. They are aggressive to the point of earning the common name, in English, of "robber flies". The combination of high biodiversity and high predatory activity leads to this family playing an important role in the ecological stability of entomofauna. Adults are generally medium to large in size, with an average body width of 1 to 1.5 cm but with a range of 3 cm to more than 5 cm in length.
Asilida (Robber Fly), El Mojon, Spain
The Asilidae are predators, both in the juvenile stage and the adult stage, and feed on small arthropods, mainly insects. Although predatory forms in the adult stage are present in other taxonomic groups of Diptera, the Asilidae are the most representative for the number of species and for uniformity of feeding behavior. They are aggressive to the point of earning the common name, in English, of "robber flies". The combination of high biodiversity and high predatory activity leads to this family playing an important role in the ecological stability of entomofauna. Adults are generally medium to large in size, with an average body width of 1 to 1.5 cm but with a range of 3 cm to more than 5 cm in length.