Robber Flies, Asilidae (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae)

The robber flies are an abundant and diverse family within the order Diptera that are known for their predatory behavior. Asilidae diversity can be attributed to their broad distribution; most species tend to occupy a selective niche. As their common name implies, robber flies have voracious appeti...

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Main Author: E. M. Finn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries 2004-12-01
Series:EDIS
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Online Access:https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/114133
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author E. M. Finn
author_facet E. M. Finn
author_sort E. M. Finn
collection DOAJ
description The robber flies are an abundant and diverse family within the order Diptera that are known for their predatory behavior. Asilidae diversity can be attributed to their broad distribution; most species tend to occupy a selective niche. As their common name implies, robber flies have voracious appetites and feed on a vast array of other arthropods, which may help to maintain a healthy balance between insect populations in various habitats (Joern and Rudd 1982, Shurovnekov 1962). Asilidae adults attack wasps, bees, dragonflies, grasshoppers, other flies, and some spiders. Robber flies are particularly abundant in arid and sunny habitats, which are optimal conditions in which to observe their many morphs and behaviors. This document is EENY-281, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: January 2003. EENY 281/IN557: Robber Flies, Asilidae (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae) (ufl.edu)
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spelling doaj-art-60f7df4eaa1142b2a89631dd769ef3132025-02-08T06:26:30ZengThe University of Florida George A. Smathers LibrariesEDIS2576-00092004-12-01200418Robber Flies, Asilidae (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae)E. M. Finn0University of Florida The robber flies are an abundant and diverse family within the order Diptera that are known for their predatory behavior. Asilidae diversity can be attributed to their broad distribution; most species tend to occupy a selective niche. As their common name implies, robber flies have voracious appetites and feed on a vast array of other arthropods, which may help to maintain a healthy balance between insect populations in various habitats (Joern and Rudd 1982, Shurovnekov 1962). Asilidae adults attack wasps, bees, dragonflies, grasshoppers, other flies, and some spiders. Robber flies are particularly abundant in arid and sunny habitats, which are optimal conditions in which to observe their many morphs and behaviors. This document is EENY-281, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: January 2003. EENY 281/IN557: Robber Flies, Asilidae (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae) (ufl.edu) https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/114133IN557
spellingShingle E. M. Finn
Robber Flies, Asilidae (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae)
EDIS
IN557
title Robber Flies, Asilidae (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae)
title_full Robber Flies, Asilidae (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae)
title_fullStr Robber Flies, Asilidae (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae)
title_full_unstemmed Robber Flies, Asilidae (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae)
title_short Robber Flies, Asilidae (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae)
title_sort robber flies asilidae insecta diptera asilidae
topic IN557
url https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/114133
work_keys_str_mv AT emfinn robberfliesasilidaeinsectadipteraasilidae