Soldier Fly vs Hanging Thief Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Soldier Fly Hanging Thief Robber Fly
Scientific Name Odontomyia tigrina Diogmites platypterus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Stratiomyidae Asilidae
Size 8-12 mm 15-22 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Farmland
Diet Pollen Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Soldier Fly

A brightly colored soldier fly with aquatic larvae that filter-feed in ponds.

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Did You Know?

Larvae float at the surface and breathe through a rosette of hydrophobic tail hairs.

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.