Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Robber Fly

Leptogaster sp.

Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

33.135, -117.034

Field Notes

Description:

Tiny flying insect only 1 cm long with a long, striped abdomen and rear legs. The wings extend only half way down the abdomen. The 5th image shows the tip of my finger behind it for scale. When it was in flight, it looked like a wispy fairy flying until it landed and I took a photo.

Habitat:

Ice plant growing up a fence in the backyard. I've also seen them on Cape Honeysuckle but have never been able to get a photo.

Notes:

Per BugGuide, this is a female but the species is still unknown.

Reference Links:

Genus Leptogaster - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (12)
CindyBinghamKeiser
I was a bit confused because it was so long. It is so skinny and frail looking and it almost appeared to drift in the wind. At first I thought there were two mating but when it landed, I realized it must have had its legs down and abdomen back. I'll be sure to watch carefully the next time I see one and let you know.
LaurenZarate
How did it fly? With the abdomen out straight or hanging down? How did it hold the hind legs in flight?
CindyBinghamKeiser
Thanks Lauren! I love it too. I wish I could have captured it in flight on video. It looks like a fairy :)
LaurenZarate
That is one very neat Robber Fly! Love it. And it does look like a Damselfly mimic! I never saw one with such a long abdomen.
ForestDragon
Perhaps his passport is in a stolen wallet. ;-)
CindyBinghamKeiser
Thank you ForestDragon. According to BugGuide, this species isn't from the US. Most likely it's a Mexican species which they don't have records of. Where does this fly hide its passport? :)
ForestDragon
Subfamily Leptogastrinae, now to find one that is found in your area... http://bugguide.net/node/view/18540/bgpage Such a cool Robber Fly!
Juan DiTrani
Very interesting. It seems this is a Damsellfly-mimetic Asilid fly

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Southern California Wildlife
Mission
Flies!
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project
Mission
The Bug Chicks Sofa Safari

Tags

Photographed
PublishedJune 19, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies