Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
=Deromyia
Explanation of Names
Diogmites Loew 1866
from Greek διωγμοσ 'chase, pursuit'
The common name was suggested by Herschel Raney after Dogmites's habit of hanging by its forelegs while consuming prey.
Numbers
25 spp. in our area, 74 total
(1)Range
US to n. Argentina; in our area, 12 spp. occur east of the Mississippi river, and several of these are widely distributed throughout the country
(2)Habitat
Woodlands, and more open areas (?)
Food
insects (often larger than themselves), mostly aculeate Hymenoptera, but also Odonata and Diptera (incl. members of the same species)
(2)
nocturnal feeding reported by Dennis (1978, Proc.Ent.Soc.Wash. 80:313); P. Coin has seen one under a light in NC
Life Cycle
Genus is known to have courtship behavior. Oviposits in ground, and ovipositor equipped with spines to aid in covering eggs. Larvae are possibly predators in soil, but specific information is lacking for this genus in references seen to date (P. Coin, July 2006).
Remarks
may causes significant economic damage by preying on honey bees
(2)Internet References
Robber Flies of Illinois--several pages on the genus
