Snipe Fly vs Robber Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Snipe Fly | Robber Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhagio scolopaceus | Promachus rufipes |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Rhagionidae | Asilidae |
| Size | 10-15 mm | 15-30 mm |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Meadows |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | North America, Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Snipe Fly
A slender, brownish fly with a pointed abdomen and spotted wings that typically perches head-down on tree trunks and fence posts. Adults are ambush predators of smaller insects.
Did You Know?
This fly characteristically rests head-down on vertical surfaces, earning it the folk name "down-looker fly," and lunges at passing prey from this position.
Robber Fly
Aggressive aerial predators that catch other insects in flight. Inject prey with neurotoxic saliva that paralyzes and liquefies internal organs for consumption.
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.