A large and diverse family, robber flies are predators. The larger species are capable of taking medium sized butterflies and moths.

Laphria grossa

This is a fairly large species that mimics a bumble bee. This specimen was found in the limestone glade.

Efferia pogonias

This species is most common in late spring and early summer. Males are readily identified by the bulbous claspers. Image above is of a male, female shown below. According to Herschel Raney this is NOT Efferia pogonias. Just what species it is is under investigation.

Promachus hinei

This is a late summer species that seems to replace Efferia pogonias. Female shown above, male below.

Gnat-ogre (Holcocephala sp.)

This is a tiny robber fly, 5-7 mm in length. It is often seen perching on tips of weeds.

This is a somewhat difficult genus with several very similar species. The one above appears to be D. neoternatus. The name hanging-thief comes from the habit of hanging from vegetation with one or two legs while feeding.