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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » Acalyptratae » Milichiidae
Photo#144989
Feeding frenzy
Copyright © 2007 Jeff Gruber

Feeding frenzy
Spring Green Preserve SNA, Sauk County, Wisconsin, USA
September 8, 2007
Size: > 1 in.
Robber fly with what I believe to be a pentatomid as prey. The pictures do not do this scene justice. It looked at times like the robber was carrying a seething ball of flies. Wish I had been able to get video.

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Feeding frenzy Feeding frenzy Feeding frenzy
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Contributed by Jeff Gruber on 11 September, 2007 - 6:45pm
Last updated 14 September, 2007 - 4:08pm

Milichiidae?
I'd bet the crowd of diminutive flies are in the family Milichiidae, as they are well known for this behavior, especially with certain types of prey like pentatomids. Cool!
… Eric R. Eaton, 12 September, 2007 - 3:44pm login or register to post comments

 
Milichiella
The slightly larger black flies could be Milichiella lacteipennis
… Irina Brake, 30 November, 2009 - 9:14am login or register to post comments

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