Which family is commonly known as Robber Flies?

Which family is commonly known as Robber Flies?

• A. Robber Flies
• B. Soldier Flies
• C. Fruit Flies
• D. Bee Flies

Answer: (A)

This item tests your knowledge of the common name for a predatory fly family. The group known as robber flies are the predatory true flies that catch other insects in midair; in formal taxonomy they belong to the family Asilidae. They’re famous for ambushing prey in flight and using a sharp proboscis to inject saliva that immobilizes and pre-digests the tissues before the fly sucks up the liquid. Distinctive features you might notice include a stout body, strong legs, and a bearded face (the mystax) behind the eyes, which helps identify them as asilids. Other options describe different fly families with different lifestyles: soldier flies are not primarily predators and belong to Stratiomyidae; fruit flies are typically small Drosophilidae associated with rotting fruit; bee flies are Bombyliidae, often bee-mimicking nectar feeders.

This item tests your knowledge of the common name for a predatory fly family. The group known as robber flies are the predatory true flies that catch other insects in midair; in formal taxonomy they belong to the family Asilidae. They’re famous for ambushing prey in flight and using a sharp proboscis to inject saliva that immobilizes and pre-digests the tissues before the fly sucks up the liquid. Distinctive features you might notice include a stout body, strong legs, and a bearded face (the mystax) behind the eyes, which helps identify them as asilids.

Other options describe different fly families with different lifestyles: soldier flies are not primarily predators and belong to Stratiomyidae; fruit flies are typically small Drosophilidae associated with rotting fruit; bee flies are Bombyliidae, often bee-mimicking nectar feeders.