Hanging Thief Robber Fly vs Giant Eastern Crane Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hanging Thief Robber Fly Giant Eastern Crane Fly
Scientific Name Diogmites platypterus Pedicia albivitta
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Asilidae Pediciidae
Size 15-22 mm 20-30 mm body length
Habitat Farmland Forests
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions North America Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Hanging Thief Robber Fly

A slender, elongate robber fly that hangs from vegetation by its front legs while feeding. It has long dangling legs and a distinctive hunting posture unlike most other asilids.

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Did You Know?

It earns its name by dangling from a single leg while consuming prey, freeing the other legs for handling food.

Giant Eastern Crane Fly

A large crane fly with long delicate legs and white-banded wing markings found near forest streams. Despite its mosquito-like appearance, it is completely harmless.

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Did You Know?

Its aquatic larvae are voracious predators that hunt other insect larvae in cold forest streams.