Ever Wonder where Robber Flies Lay Their Eggs?

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 6:56 am

Most of the summer, I was spotting these huge Robber flies (1.25" and very robust and very easy to hear). Towards the end of July, I started noticing them mating and some would land and crawl down into the grass in the lawn. The females were picking spots with soft sandy soils, digging a hole by rotating their abdomens and I assume laying their eggs. This is a picture of a female with her abdomen in the sand. These are the same species I posted here: http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... php?t=3023

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:29 pm

Fascinating! I have watched many grasshoppers do this, but I had no idea where robberflies lay their eggs.

--Rik

jmlphoto · Post by **jmlphoto** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:32 am

wow what a good shot, without that i dont think we would ever know where they lay there eggs.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:22 am

You know Doug, that's got to hurt or at least one would think a bit rough on the ol' posterior

Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:09 pm

Interesting photo Doug - good angle too. That sure is a BIG fly!!

So....weren't you tempted to take a peek once mum had departed the scene?

Bruce