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Holcocephala calva (Loew, 1872) forages primarily from dead twig tips, capturing and immobilizing prey in flight or in a hover near the foraging/feeding site. Identified prey is in eight orders (Araneae, Blattodea (Isoptera), Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, and Psocoptera), with Hymenoptera (42.3%) and Diptera (33.1%) making up 75.4%. Mating occurs in the tail-to-tail position. Females oviposited by dropping one egg at a time onto the ground. Holcocephala calva exhibit a daily rhythm of activity with peak periods between 6:00-10:00 AM of foraging, male searching flights for females with which to mate, mating, and ovipositing. Grooming occurs throughout the day. The most common grooming type consisting of the hind tarsi and tibiae being rubbed together and one or both hind tarsi and tibiae being used to stroke the sides of the abdomen. Habitat, flight patterns, daytime and nighttime resting behavior, light levels and vision, and predators and parasites also are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proctacanthus gracilis Bromley, 1928 forages primarily from vegetation, capturing prey in flight, and immobilizing them in flight or on the ground. Identified prey is in eight insect orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, Odonata, and Orthoptera), with Othoptera making up 63.0%. Mating occurs in the tail-to-tail position and oviposition is in the ground. This species exhibits a distinct daily rhythm of activity for feeding and mating. Grooming behavior resembles that described for other species of robber flies. Morphology, habitats and distribution in Florida, resting behavior, and predators and parasites also are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here record five robber fly (Asilidae) species [Lasiopogon cinctus (Fabricius, 1781), Stenopogon mediterraneus Lehr, 1963, Saropogon longicornis (Macquart, 1838), Machimus arthriticus (Zeller, 1840), Machimus gonatistes (Zeller, 1840)] belonging to three subfamilies and four genera for the first time in Turkey. While all species are reported from Turkish Thrace, one of is also from Anatolia. Distributional data and taxonomical remarks with photographs of male genitalia and habitus for each species are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolepsis tristis (Walker, 1851) foraged from vegetation, capturing prey in flight and immobilizing them in flight or at the feeding site. Seven of the 10 prey were instances of cannibalism with females preying on other females and one male. Mating occurs in the tail to tail position. Female oviposition is in the soil. Feeding and mating peaks are from 10:00-11:00 AM, with two smaller peaks in the afternoon from 1:00-3:00 PM and 3:00-4:00 PM, respectively. Grooming behavior did not occur often and was brief, but resembles that of other species of Asilidae. Morphology, habitat, flight patterns, resting behavior, and predators and parasites also are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proctacanthus longus (Wiedemann, 1821) forage from the soil, dead vegetation on the soil (detritus), and vegetation, capturing and immobilizing prey in flight. Identified prey came from seven insect orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Neuroptera, Lepidoptera, and Orthoptera), with Diptera and Orthoptera making up 43.3 and 24.3%, respectively. Mating initially occurs in the male-over-female position and then the pair straightens out into the tail-to-tail position. Females oviposit in the soil, typically in the shade of vegetation. This species exhibits a daily rhythm of activity for feeding, mating, and ovipositing. Grooming behavior resembles that described for other species of Asilidae. Habitats, resting behavior, and predators and parasites also are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holopogon snowi Back, 1909 foraged from plant twig tips, capturing prey in flight, and immobilizing them in flight or at the feeding site. Identified prey came from eight orders: Araneae (0.5%), Blattodea (family Termitidae; 9.9%), Coleoptera (0.5%), Diptera (8.8%), Hemiptera (26.4%), Hymenoptera (11.0%), Psocoptera (11.0%), and Thysanoptera (27.5%). Male courtship preceded mating in the tail-to-tail position. Females dropped eggs on the twigs of scrub oak or directly onto the ground. This species demonstrated a distinct daily rhythm of activity for feeding, mating, and ovipositing. Grooming behavior did not occur often but resembled that of other species of Asilidae. Habitat, resting behavior, and predators also are discussed. This is the first record of H. snowi occurring in Florida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promachus bastardii (Macquart, 1838) foraged from both the ground and vegetation, capturing most prey in flight and then immobilizing them during a hover prior to landing to feed. Identified prey came from four insect orders (Coleoptera (15.6%), Diptera (8.3%), Hemiptera (4.2%), Hymenoptera (59.4%), and unidentified/uncollected (12.5%)). Mating occurred in the male over female position and ovipositing was in dried seed heads of plants and an oak bullet gall, typically in the shade of vegetation. This species exhibited a distinct daily rhythm for feeding, mating, and ovipositing, primarily between 09:00 AM and 12:00 noon. Other topics discussed include habitats, resting behavior, grooming behavior, and predators and parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proctacanthus fulviventris Macquart, 1850 (during 214 hours of observation) foraged primarily from the ground, capturing and immobilizing prey in flight. Identified prey came from two insect orders (Diptera and Hymenoptera), with Hymenoptera making up 88%. Mating occurred in the male over female position and oviposition was in the ground, typically in the shade of vegetation or a shaded depression in the ground when the sun was shining. This species exhibited a distinct daily rhythm of activity for feeding, mating, and oviposition. Grooming behavior resembled that described for other species of Asilidae. Habitats, resting behavior, and predators and parasites also are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diogmites crudelis Bromley, 1936 (during 106 hours of observation) foraged from the ground and vegetation, capturing and immobilizing prey in flight. Identified prey came from three insect orders (Diptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera), with Hymenoptera making up 81.7%. Mating occurred in the tail-to-tail position and oviposition was in the ground, typically in the shade of vegetation when the sun was shining. This species exhibited a distinct daily rhythm of activity for feeding from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and oviposition from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Habitats, resting behavior, grooming behavior, and predators and parasites also are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holopogon phaeonotus Loew, 1874 foraged from plant twig tips, capturing prey in flight, and immobilized them at the feeding site. Identified prey came from six insect orders: Coleoptera (4.0%), Diptera (33.0%), Hemiptera (17.0%), Hymenoptera (20.0%), Psocoptera (23.0%), and Thysanoptera (3.0%). Mating was preceded by male courtship and was in the tail-to-tail position. Eggs were laid in the soil, in the shade of overhanging vegetation and fallen dried oak leaves. There was a distinct daily rhythm of activity for feeding, mating, and oviposition. Grooming behavior was not common but when it did occur, resembled that described for other species of Asilidae. Information is also provided on habitat, resting behavior, and predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 5 weeks of observation, Proctacanthus brevipennis (Wiedemann, 1828) foraged from both the ground and vegetation, capturing and immobilizing most prey in light. Identiied prey came from six insect orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Isoptera, Lepidoptera, and Orthoptera), with Coleoptera making up 59.7%. Mating occurred in the tail-to-tail position and oviposition was in the ground, typically in the shade of vegetation. This species exhibited a distinct daily rhythm of activity for feeding, mating, and oviposition. Grooming behavior resembled that described for other species of Asilidae. Habitat, resting behavior, and predators and parasites also are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many references on the Internet and in the published literature to robber flies preying upon spiders. However, an evaluation of available data summarized in the Asilidae Predator-Prey Database reveals that spiders make up only a small percentage of the robber fly diet (less than 1% of approximately 58,000 prey listed in the Database). The types of spider chosen as prey are discussed and examined in relation to robber fly classification. Robber fly methods of capturing spiders are examined and comments about spiders preying upon robber flies are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undescribed spermathecae of nine species of Asilidae: Asilinae are illustrated: Anarmostus iopterus (Wiedemann), Dicropaltum rubicundus (Hine), Epipamponeurus americanus Becker, Leinendera rubra Carrera, Lestophonax mallophoroides Hull, Negasilus mesae Tucker, Prolatiforceps anonymus (Williston), Stenasilus tenuis (Wiedemann), and Threnia carbonaria (Wiedemann). Dissections and nomenclature follow Artigas (1971) and Theodor (1976). Specimens used were from the insect collections of the Museo de Zoología, Universidad de Concepción, Chile; Museu de Zoología, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Musée National d´ Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France. Differences and similarities between species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present research, the prey of asilid species (Diptera, Asilidae) from Fars province, Iran was identified during the years 2006-2008. The prey consisted mainly of Hymenoptera (Sphecidae, Vespidae, Apidae, Chrysididae, Megachilidae and Scoliidae), followed by Diptera (Tabanidae, Syrphidae, Therevidae, Tachinidae and Dolichopodidae), Orthoptera (Acrididae and Gryllidae), Coleoptera (Buprestidae, Alleculidae and Cerambycidae), Hemiptera (Cicadellidae and Coreidae), Neuroptera (Myrmeleontidae) and Odonata (Aeshnidae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the approximately 58,000 plus prey records in the Asilidae Predator-Prey Database, 9.1% are Hemiptera (3.5% Heteroptera and 5.6% Homoptera). Forty six of the 133 recognized worldwide Hemiptera families are preyed upon with generally more prey records for female than male robber flies. Potential explanations for robber flies, in particular females, preying upon Hemiptera are discussed. Numbers of Hemiptera prey are examined based on their associated families, genera and species. Hemiptera prey are also discussed in relation to robber fly subfamilies and genera. New records of Hemiptera prey are presented and compared with prey records in the Database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepidoptera as prey of robber flies and other insects have been frequently observed and documented in literature. However, these observations have not been based on such an extensive database as the Predator-Prey Database for Asilidae. An evaluation of this database and literature indicates that Lepidoptera do not make up as many prey as one would expect based on the number of described species. Potential explanations for this are discussed. Numbers of Lepidoptera prey are examined based on their associated families, genera and species, and the most frequently preyed upon genera. New records of Lepidoptera prey are presented. In both the database and the new records, more moths were preyed upon than butterflies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chorionic structure of the eggs of five Laphriinae species [Andrenosoma serratum Hermann, 1906, Choerades fuliginosa (Panzer, [1798]), Choerades fulva (Meigen, 1804), Choerades loewi Lehr, 1991, Laphria aurea (Fabricius, 1794)] were examined utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All the eggs which are examined species are dull brown in color. The egg shape is changed from ovoid (C. fuliginosa, C. fulva, and L. aurea) to cylindrical (in A. serratum and C. loewi). The chorion is composed of numerous polygonal cells except the eggs of L. aurea. The borders of the polygons are slightly elevated ridges of uneven lengths and more or less distinct in the species. The polygonal pattern is weak and ridges tend to become flattened in the micropylar area. Two micropylar openings exist in the all species and some of the male sperm tails can be seen in them. Aeropyles also are seen on the chorionic surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundance of Hymenoptera in the insect fauna of the world is reflected in the Asilidae Predator-Prey Database produced by Dr. Robert Lavigne. Of the approximate 58,024 prey in the database, 25,320 are Hymenoptera. Forty seven (47) of the 90 recognized families are represented with 508 genera and 833 species. Apis mellifera L. is widely preyed upon by robber flies and represents 9,538 of the Hymenoptera prey; seven (7) of the 10 subfamilies of robber flies represented by 65 genera, prey upon A. mellifera. Potential explanations for the large number of Hymenoptera and A. mellifera taken by robber flies are provided. The numbers of Hymenoptera prey are examined based on subfamily, genera and species classifications. The most frequently preyed upon genera are referenced. Additionally, new records of Hymenoptera as prey are presented. Among all records, the largest number of genera and species taken as prey belong to the families Ichneumonidae and Sphecidae, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]