Asilid on Saltbush - Scleropogon duncani

Beautiful shot

Of this robber.

… Herschel Raney, 21 March, 2009 - 9:45am

Another Scleropogon duncani (

Another Scleropogon duncani (female); looks darker than the previous individual but must be same (nothing else quite like it in S. Calif.).

… Eric Fisher, 20 March, 2009 - 7:40pm

Scleropogon duncani (female)

thanks for the identification, Dr. Fisher. It's great to have both the male and female of the species, because I do see some differences -- the male seems more elongate (more or longer abdominal segments) and has a red appendage.

… Lynn Monroe, 21 March, 2009 - 12:45pm

Glad to help Lynn. Typically

Glad to help Lynn. Typically the females of S. duncani would have some red at the tip of the abdomen (though less than in the males). Also, the femora are more reddish ventrally (in both sexes) - which is why I mentioned that this individual seemed darker in color.

… Eric Fisher, 21 March, 2009 - 4:05pm

Scleropogon duncani female

I appreciate your clarification of the traits to look for. The two robberflies were photographed at quite different sites and habitats. The female was at about a thousand feet higher elevation. Sometimes the low desert individuals are lighter. Thanks again.

… Lynn Monroe, 21 March, 2009 - 5:38pm