Ruthless Aerial Assassin

Robberflies are one of my top favorite critters and they have always fascinated me. They are wicked killing machines in the unseen world of critters. Robberfly usually stays perched on the tip of twigs at a good vantage point to observe other flying insects. Once a prey is spotted, it will set its attack course, launch from its vantage point and nab the insect mid air. Then in-flight, it will pierce its beak enclosing a dagger-like shaft and stab its prey in the head or thorax. It will then use its beak to pump saliva containing neurotoxic venom and proteolytic enzymes. The venom paralyzes its prey while the enzyme liquefies the innards. Robberfly will then land on a twig to sip the innards...View all