Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#1283328
Asilid - Dasylechia atrox

Asilid - Dasylechia atrox
Pleasant Valley Conservancy SNA, Dane County, Wisconsin, USA
August 28, 2016
Prey is a bumble bee. Found perched about chest high on bare (leafless) oak branch tip, edge of mixed hardwood forest.

I had scared something off this same perch a couple days ago. Didn't get a good look, but it did look like a bumble bee and I suspected it might be this beast. Very glad I had the 180mm with me today!

Larger version is here.

Images of this individual: tag all
Asilid - Dasylechia atrox Asilid - Dasylechia atrox Asilid - Dasylechia atrox

Just incredible Jeff; I'm in
Just incredible Jeff; I'm in awe of your skill at finding & photographing such amazing robber flies!

 
Thanks!
It's all a matter of spending long days in the field and being in tune with nature and noticing the small things. You learn their tolerance levels and how to approach them. Also I focus on robber flies and don't easily get distracted by other pretty things.

I find it fun and challenging and they are definitely worthy subjects.

You robber fly experts make it even more rewarding by telling us what we have photographed. I envy those skills. Thanks for the efforts of all you on our behalf.

Prize winner
Now find the egg laying female.

 
Thanks!
Hopefully they are still around for a while this season. Now that I know what area to concentrate on...

Unfortunate for me there is a lot of ragweed in this area.