CLOSED: Who - what is this killer insect?

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dovey Columbus, OH(Zone 5b) Jul 28, 2008

I assume it's one of the "good guys" because it's killing a fly.
Any idea what it is?

Thanks
Dovey

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 29, 2008

This is a robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae); note that it’s head appears depressed between its eyes - this is a characteristic of this family. This is quite a large family, with much variation in overall appearance - for some examples, see http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/robber_flies
I guess that whether or not you consider it a ‘good guy’ may depend on what kind of insects it eats!

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pford1854 Somerset, KY(Zone 6b) Jul 29, 2008

Robberflies are a plus in my book.
Any bug that can grab a wasp and suck it dry gets a great big check mark by me. :)
Robberflies Rule!!!

Way more here:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=robberflies&searcher%5Bbugorder%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&Search=Search&searcher[common]=Robber%20Fly

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dovey Columbus, OH(Zone 5b) Jul 29, 2008

That is so cool.
I finally have a bug eating bug in my garden - opposed to a leaf, flower fruit eating bug!
Thank you for the ID and links
Dove

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pford1854 Somerset, KY(Zone 6b) Jul 30, 2008

Here's one I had today in my garden.
I watched it for a while, and it chased a small bee, but couldn't catch it, so it lit on ground to patiently wait some more....

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dovey Columbus, OH(Zone 5b) Jul 30, 2008

Good photo.
I hope our Robber Fly finds a mate and has tons of babies

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