Diptera

[c.j.]

CJ's Desert Dwellers: Diptera, Flies

Robber Fly (family Asilidae)
Length:12-14 mm

This first guy is a Robber Fly (family Asilidae). I have several shots (identified…) of other secies, but couldn't get this one. I checked all my books and sources to no avail. I even had a professor friend (specialist in the Sonoran Desert) check and we were unsuccessful. Speculation is that it is a transient from Mexico. It behaved slightly different from the local population in that it didn't do the 'swoop and grab prey mid-flight', but would assume a 'stealth-like' position near the Tahoka Daisy Machaeranthera tanacetifolia flower corolla and make quick runs over the top, trying to snag a meal.



The eye has an iridescent green/gold that I haven't seen in the others.





Second fly is the smallest I've ever seen, smaller than a grain of rice. I've been able to determine nothing other than 'a fly'.



My naturalist skills are being put to the test these days!!! It was nectaring from a Tahoka Daisy Machaeranthera tanacetifolia. The flower is only 20 mm in diameter!!!

[Knight]

Robber Fly envy lol i looked all sumer to get a macro of one of those and only saw one for about 10 seconds and did not have my camera with me . Good Capture C.J

[big baldo]

The detail on these macros is outstanding!! Were these all taken handheld?
Thanks for sharing:thumbsup:

[paulnj]

Very cool CJ! I love that first robber fly.

[slayer7124]

wow, what a crazy lookin fly! great shots

[c.j.]

Thanks everyone!

Yes, they were all handheld.

If anyone is in Tucson, tomorrow, (Oct 16) I'm giving a small presentation at the botanical gardens for the butterfly association. I don't know why they asked me, as they have multiple world-class (and published) photographers at their fingertips.