Hornet Robberfly - Asilus crabroniformis 1i
An extremely large, fierce-looking fly, capable of catching and carrying off and eating other insects. It is generally regarded as Britain's largest fly species. Its larvae live in or under dung and feed on the larvae of dung beetles and other insect larvae. The species has become rarer because of the practice of dosing cattle with insecticides to prevent gut parasites. This has meant that much dung is now insect-free. Fortunately, it is also associated with rabbit droppings, which are not usually treated with insecticides.
Bridleway in chalk grassland near fields used for grazing horses and cattle, Oliver's Battery, Winchester, Hampshire, UK, 28 August 2015. Scale in cm and mm.
OS Grid Ref: SU 462 272
Hornet Robberfly - Asilus crabroniformis 1i
An extremely large, fierce-looking fly, capable of catching and carrying off and eating other insects. It is generally regarded as Britain's largest fly species. Its larvae live in or under dung and feed on the larvae of dung beetles and other insect larvae. The species has become rarer because of the practice of dosing cattle with insecticides to prevent gut parasites. This has meant that much dung is now insect-free. Fortunately, it is also associated with rabbit droppings, which are not usually treated with insecticides.
Bridleway in chalk grassland near fields used for grazing horses and cattle, Oliver's Battery, Winchester, Hampshire, UK, 28 August 2015. Scale in cm and mm.
OS Grid Ref: SU 462 272