Subfamily Asilinae - Large Robber Flies

Family Asilidae

This page contains pictures and information about Robber Flies in subfamily Asilinae that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.



Most Robust flies are with noticeable "beard" of setae around the face. It is believed that they serve as protection to their face from damage by their prey.

Robber flies in this subfamily have the wing vein R2+3 ending on R1, with slender antennal style. They are medium to large in size. They are common in Brisbane bushlands. Most of them look similar and hard to be identified in species level.



Robber Flies in Subfamily Asilinae can be recognized by the following characteristics;
- antenna with one arista,
- closed marginal cell on wings.

Tribe Asilini - Common Robber Flies
Robber flies in this group have the wing vein R2+3 ending on R1, i.e., marginal cell closed, and with slender antennal style. They are medium to large in size. They are common in Brisbane bushlands. Most of them look similar and hard to be identified to species level.

Reference:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, p 758.
2. Insects of Australia and New Zealand - R. J. Tillyard, Angus & Robertson, Ltd, Sydney, 1926, p363.
3. A revision of Neoaratus Ricardo, with the description of six allied new genera from the Australian region (Diptera : Asilidae : Asilini) - G Daniels, 1987.
4. Asilini - Australian Asilidae - Dr. Robert Lavigne, Honorary Research Associate, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA.

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