Do Robberflies bite/sting humans?

Robber fly kills bird

Eleven days after Ed Johnson posted this near miss he observed a Mallophora successfully kill a hummingbird. Thanks to Eric Fisher for the link.

… Warren, 26 August, 2008 - 10:47pm

Yes.

If handled roughly, robber flies (at least the larger ones) can inflict a painful bite. They practice "extraoral digestion," which means they shoot enzymes into their prey to pre-digest it by liquifying the tissues. Would probably destroy human tissue a little bit as well. They probably do inject a venom as well, to stop their prey from struggling, accounting for how some can bring down large grasshoppers, or even dragonflies!

… Eric R. Eaton, 28 August, 2006 - 7:21pm

Thanks

Thanks, Eric.

I saw a Mallophora leschenaulti (Beelzebub Bee-eater) attack and chase a Hummingbird today! Fortunately, he never did make contact and the hummingbird could fly faster than the huge robber and got away. We've had a number of these Mallophora around my place in the Texas Hill Country lately.

....Ed....

… Ed Johnson, 28 August, 2006 - 7:38pm

I'm the "predator defender".
Without them, the animals they eat become less healthy. Predators are possibly the most important animals to have around. It can be sad to see them catch a "cute" animal meal, but those cutties need it in the long run.
(BTW: hummingbirds kill thousands of bugs in their life)

… Matt Edmonds, 27 August, 2008 - 8:47pm