Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#25536
Robber Fly, Holcocephala sp. - Holcocephala calva

Robber Fly, Holcocephala sp. - Holcocephala calva
Licking County, Ohio, USA
August 7, 2004
Size: 3/16"
My first thought was some sort of robber fly, but I'd love to hear from someone who knows better. Behavior was quite similar to a robber or dragon, chasing insects and returning to the same perch.

Moved
Moved from Holcocephala.

Moved
Moved from Holcocephala calva.

Moved
Moved from Holcocephala.

H. calva
With the dark legs and what pattern is visible on the abdomen, I believe this is Holcocephala calva.

Nice job
Nice photo Jay. Excellent detail. I just shot this same insect with a Sony Digital, but I must say that I can't wait to purchase a Canon! :)

Holco
This is a robber. Holcocephala and probably abdominalis. There are only three species in the US and mostly they are eastern. We like to call it the bug-eyed robber or the little hammerhead. Lovely, tiny things that do like to perch on stems or grass tips. And they tend to stick to their perch. When you find one, there are usually many in the general area. They are mostly gnat killers.

 
Thank you!
Thank you!