Definition

Noun: A robber fly is a type of predatory insect. It is characterized by a swift, powerful flight, a robust body often resembling that of a bee, and a hardened, piercing proboscis (mouthpart) used to inject venom and suck the bodily fluids of other insects, which it typically captures while both are in flight.

Usage

The term robber fly is used specifically in entomology (the study of insects) and general nature descriptions to identify this family (Asilidae) of predatory flies. * The robber fly perched on a twig, waiting for an unsuspecting bee to fly by. * We observed a robber fly subduing a butterfly mid-air.

Advanced Usage

• Ecological Role: In scientific contexts, robber fly is discussed as an important aerial predator that helps control populations of other insects.
  • The study focused on the robber fly's impact on local pollinator populations.

Variants and Related Words

• Asilid (noun): The scientific family name for robber flies. This is a more technical synonym.
  • The collection included several species of asilids.
• Assassin Fly (noun): A common alternative name for a robber fly, highlighting its predatory nature.

Synonyms

• Predatory fly
• Assassin fly (informal)

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Robber fly larvae: Refers to the immature, worm-like stage of the insect, which is also predatory and lives in soil or decaying matter.
  • The robber fly larvae feed on insects in the soil.

Noun

1. swift predatory fly having a strong body like a bee with the proboscis hardened for sucking juices of other insects captured on the wing