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Asilidae

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	Asilidae
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	Topics Asilidae Topic Home Robber flies is the common name of fliesFly This article is about the insect. For other meanings, see Fly ... in the DipteraFly This article is about the insect. For other meanings, see Fly ... family Asilidae. The family Asilidae contains about 7,100 described species worldwide. All robber flies have stout, spiny legs, a dense moustache of bristles on the face (mystax), and 3 simple eyes in a characteristic depression between their two large compound eyeCompound eye Summary A compound eye is a visual organ found in certain arthropods such as insects and crustaceans.... s. The mystax helps protect the head and face when the fly encounters preyPredation A predator is an animal or other organism that hunts and kills other organisms, called prey, for food in an act called... bent on defense. The antennaeAntenna (biology) Antennae are paired appendages connected to the front-most segments of arthropods.... are short, 3-segmented, sometimes with a bristle-like structure called an arista. The short, strong proboscisProboscis In general, a proboscis is an elongated appendage from the head of an animal.... is used to stab and inject victims with saliva containing neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes which paralyze and digest the insides; the fly then sucks the liquefied meal through the proboscis. Many species have long, tapering abdomensFacts About Abdomen The abdomen is a part of the body.... , sometimes with a sword-like ovipositorOvipositor The ovipositor is an organ used by some of the arthropods for oviposition, i.e.... . Others are fat-bodied bumblebeeBumblebee The bumblebee is a flying insect of the genus Bombus in the family Apidae.... mimics. Adult robber flies attack other flies, beetleBeetle Beetles are the most diverse group of insects.... s, butterfliesButterfly A butterfly is an insect of the Order Lepidoptera, and belongs to one of the superfamilies Hesperioidea or Papilionoidea .... and mothMoth A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly.... s, various beeBee Bees are flying insects, closely related to wasps and ants.... s, dragonDragonfly [Image:Dragonfly_morphology.png\|thumb\|200px\|Morphology and Anatomy of a Dragonfly.]]... and damselfliesDamselfly The Damselfly is an insect in the Order Odonata.... , Ichneumon waspIchneumon wasp The Ichneumon wasps are insects classified in the Parasitica group of the suborder Apocrita within the Order Hymenoptera.... s, grasshopperGrasshopper Grasshoppers are herbivorous insects of the suborder Caelifera in the order Orthoptera.... s, and some spiderSpider Spiders are predatory invertebrate animals with two body segments, eight legs, no chewing mouth parts and no wings.... s. The larvaLarva Overview A larva is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis .... e are often found in decaying organic matter, such as dung heaps and rotting logs. Other species live in the soil. In most species the larvae are omnivorousOmnivore An omnivore is a species of animal who are "...... . External links by Fritz Geller-Grimm Photo gallery