Red-footed Robber Fly vs Spine-legged Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red-footed Robber Fly Spine-legged Robber Fly
Scientific Name Dioctria rufipes Diogmites angustipennis
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Asilidae Asilidae
Size 9-13 mm 12-18 mm
Habitat Woodlands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Europe, Western Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red-footed Robber Fly

A slender, metallic-dark robber fly with conspicuous orange-red legs found in European woodlands. It specializes in ambushing small flies and midges from sunlit perches on leaves.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the earliest robber flies to appear each year, often active from late spring when most other asilids are still developing.

Spine-legged Robber Fly

A slender amber-colored robber fly with conspicuously spined legs. It hunts from the ground in open sandy or rocky areas.

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Did You Know?

Its heavily spined legs form a basket-like cage to trap prey in mid-air.