Assassin Flies and More at the Kin Dam

This Will Become Popular with Nature Lovers

 

 

When you go up to Kin Dam, don't forget to bring a camera.

We just went to check the road, at the top, to see where it goes and got some surprises.

Looking up in the sky, I was trying to catch three ospreys, flying overhead.

Well, I heard the Map It Okinawa dude say, "Look at this."

There was an Assassin Fly, with a bee, on the fence.

Also known as Robber Flies, these insects, are some mean critters.

They catch their prey in flight.

Then, they stab the victim and inject poison, paralyzing them so they can suck their insides out.

 He got a little nervous, with me clicking away on the camera.

So, he hopped down on the concrete, on the other side of the fence.

When the rascal had enough to eat, off it went.

 Just a few seconds later, these ants came along.

And, they took what was left of the bee, home for dinner.

Can you believe, people, sit around in their houses, watching reality TV shows ?

The real stuff, ain't on TV.

It's outdoors in nature !

Related Post: This Bug Is a Real Killer

This Bug is a Real Killer ! Meet the Assassin Fly

They Don't Eat People, Just Other Bugs

 

When I spotted this insect, it was sunning on a country road in northern Okinawa, Japan.

That's a pretty mean-looking bug.  So, I had to sneak up on it and take some photos.

Look at those big eyes and nasty barbed legs !

It took awhile to research this critter and get a positive idendification.

It is a Robber Fly (Asilidae) also known as an Assassin Fly.

Not to worry.  They won't bite humans.

These guys only go after other bugs.  And, they are ferocious.  They nab their prey out of the air.

This guy, lying on the road, is just charging-up his batteries.

Maybe, the sun warms him up so, he can fly faster.

Those bulging eyes aren't watching the camera.  He's looking for something, flying to eat.

When he spots a meal flying over, that's when he springs into action.

The critter he goes after can even be bigger than him.  It doesn't matter.

He will grab his victim out of the air and inject some poison.

The muscular legs insure there will be no escape.

And, he will hang from a place, up off the ground, by one leg, while munching away.

Wouldn't you like to have one of these in your yard ?

It would be more fun than watching TV, I bet !

 

Learn more about Assassin Flies at:

ARKive ORG

Texas A&M

University of Florida