Hanging Thief Robber Fly

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Hanging Thief Robber Fly
Hanging Thief Robber Fly

Diogmites angustipennis -- female

Robber flies have a hard hollow pointed strawlike proboscis that is designed to be plunged through the hard exoskeleton of their insect prey into the soft inner tissue. Once the proboscis has penetrated into the prey's soft interior the hypopharynx is extended down through the proboscis and a noxious blend of venom and enzymes is injected into the victim via the hollow needle like hypopharynx. As soon as the victim has perished the hypopharynx is retracted and the robber fly can then suck the already partially digested liquified meal into his stomach with his proboscis.

Here the robber fly has momentarily extended the hypopharynx -- perhaps licking her chops so to speak -- or maybe simply cleaning her teeth.

I've been warned that the hypopharynx is an organ that is best viewed from afar.


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Taken on: September 7, 2014
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Sets appears in:   • Diogmites angustipennis   
Groups appears in:   • Asilidae (Robberflies)    • Natural Nebraska   
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, f/11.0, 1/800 sec, 200mm, ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Aperture: f/11.0
Exposure Time: 0.001 sec (1/800)
Focal Length: 200mm
ISO: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Auto
Color Space: Uncalibrated
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