Скачать или смотреть The Flies that Hunt Bees

When one thinks of flies, a likely image would be a diminutive little pest, buzzing aimlessly about in search of a bit of filth to feed on. Yet, the Diptera are a large and varied order of insects. While many flies are fairly pestiferous little scavengers, there are a number of notable departures from this way of life.

One of the most brutal of these is the family Asilidae, commonly known as assassin flies or robber flies. These creatures are agile, aggressive predators that snatch their prey from the air and devour them in a most unnerving way. So naturally, these little monsters are worth a closer look.



Music and Sound Effects from the YouTube Audio Library

“Spirit of Fire” by Jesse Gallagher



Images provided by Pixabay users ajs1980518, ardikhoirunnadlif, britaseifert, Buntysmum, elounkmantang, Erik_Karits, iemlee, jplenio, minhtri8725493, Rossco, Sonel, tardis_1967, Tohra.



Further Research

Asilidae
Asiloidea
Dysmachus
Machimus
Mallophora
Megaphorus
Prolepsis
Promachus
Stenopogon
Blepharepium sonorensis
Laphria thoracica
Blepharotes coriatus



Chapters

0:00 - Introduction
0:47 - Anatomy
2:04 - Variety
2:27 - Life History
3:17 - Hunting
4:57 - Feeding
5:44 - Preferred Prey
7:14 - Bees and Wasps
7:37 - Disturbing Mimicry
8:42 - An Odd Defense
10:21 - Conclusion