Robber Fly (Dasylechia atrox) with prey
Dasylechia atrox (Williston 1883). Found at Pleasant Valley Conservancy SNA in southern Wisconsin. Dane County, Wisconsin, USA.
Prey is a vespid wasp of sorts. Found in oak/hickory forest/savanna.
My friend Mike Reese was leading a field trip looking for this species and other robber flies when he saw this beauty fly by in front of him carrying a bee and land on the topside of a branch in an oak tree a few meters off trail. It quickly moved to underside of branch, which was 6-7 feet up from forest floor. It proceeded to feed on the bee for over an hour before discarding it and subsequently taking this vespid wasp as prey.
Single exposure, uncropped, handheld, in situ. Canon MT-26EX flash unit, Ian McConnachie diffuser.
Robber Fly (Dasylechia atrox) with prey
Dasylechia atrox (Williston 1883). Found at Pleasant Valley Conservancy SNA in southern Wisconsin. Dane County, Wisconsin, USA.
Prey is a vespid wasp of sorts. Found in oak/hickory forest/savanna.
My friend Mike Reese was leading a field trip looking for this species and other robber flies when he saw this beauty fly by in front of him carrying a bee and land on the topside of a branch in an oak tree a few meters off trail. It quickly moved to underside of branch, which was 6-7 feet up from forest floor. It proceeded to feed on the bee for over an hour before discarding it and subsequently taking this vespid wasp as prey.
Single exposure, uncropped, handheld, in situ. Canon MT-26EX flash unit, Ian McConnachie diffuser.