Promachus hinei

Few carnivorous insects can match the amazing aerobatic skill and brutal predatory proficiency of robber flies (family Asilidae) in their pursuit of prey. Adults of all species are predators and will attack a variety of insects, even "armed" prey like wasps.

I posted an Alert over the weekend about robber flies (family Asilidae). This family of highly proficient predatory flies includes so-called "giant robber flies" (genus Promachus). I had the mistaken belief that the most common member of the giant robber fly genus found in Ohio is P. rufipes (Fabricius), the so-called Red-Footed Cannibalfly. However, thanks to BYGL-reader Tim Turner, I learned that we have another giant in our midst that we must consider when snapping pictures for BYGL Alerts.