Uploads from bob in swamp, tagged mallophorabomboides, with geodata

Florida Bee Killer (Mallophora bomboides)

nobody@flickr.com (bob in swamp) — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 17:10:13 -0700

I've been stalking this elusive fly for several months but still have not been able to get close to one. Mallophora are formidable hunters, patrolling their territory in low-flying and surprisingly fast patterns like noisy, fuzzy, mini-helicopters. They mimic bumblebees and capture bees, wasps and other flying insects for food. There is even a documented case of one species capturing and eating a hummingbird. They are in the robber fly family (Asilidae). I got within 5 feet of this one then leaned, stretched out my arms and held my breath for the shot, just before it buzzed away.

Florida Bee Killer (Mallophora bomboides)

nobody@flickr.com (bob in swamp) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:27:25 -0700

bob in swamp posted a photo:

I have been trying to get close to one of these monster robber flies for several years with no luck, This photo was taken from 8 feet away and is heavily cropped. When I inched forward, the fly flew. I see these gigantic flies buzzing around like small birds but rarely find one stationary. Their coloration mimics bumblebees and they buzz like motorboats. They eat bees but the ones I have seen were feeding mostly on wasps, which this one appears to be holding. Juno Dunes Natural Area (south).
ID via bugguide.net