Robber Fly vs East Asian Pheropsophus Bombardier

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Robber Fly East Asian Pheropsophus Bombardier
Scientific Name Promachus rufipes Pheropsophus jessoensis
Order Diptera Coleoptera
Family Asilidae Carabidae
Size 15-30 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Meadows Farmland
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America, Europe Japan, Korea, eastern China, Russian Far East
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Robber Fly

Aggressive aerial predators that catch other insects in flight. Inject prey with neurotoxic saliva that paralyzes and liquefies internal organs for consumption.

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Did You Know?

Robber flies are such efficient aerial predators that they have been recorded catching dragonflies, wasps, and even other robber flies in mid-air.

East Asian Pheropsophus Bombardier

A large Asian bombardier beetle with an orange head and pronotum and dark blue-black elytra. It is the largest bombardier beetle in Japan and produces powerful chemical sprays.

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Did You Know?

It can spray its boiling chemical defense up to 20 centimeters with a popping sound audible from several meters away, and can fire repeatedly up to 20 times before depleting its reserves.