Robber Fly
This is a robber fly, or sometimes referred to as an assassin fly. Adults prey on insects and often catch them in flight. The larvae have varying diets depending on their current larval stage. It can take 1-3 years for members of the Asilidae family to complete their life cycles. These flies are often found in open, sunny, and dry habitats with open patches of vegetation.
Order: Diptera
Family: Asilidae
Photograph: © 2010 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 15 July 2010
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co. (45o43'41" N 111o08'11" W)