#daspeltis

[bionerds-co-za]

Some of the best times in nature is spent slowing down ones pace... observing the smaller things... and being rewarded with amazing sightings like these. This is a Robber Fly with a small wasp in its clutches. Robber Flies are very aggressive hunters. They will chase down and catch their prey, or steal prey from spiders webs before these spiders get to the prey to encase it in silk. When they have caught their prey they will jab them with their proboscis, injecting their prey with a strong neurotoxin and protyeolitic enzyme. This will then paralyze and turn their prey's innards to liquid. The feast begins and the prey will soon be no less than an empty shell... This species has very dense bristles on its 'head', which is believed to afford it some form of protection against its voracious prey - bees and wasps. Asilidae - most probably Daspeltis - Overberg, Western Cape. #canon #canonmacro #macro #ishootwithorms #bionerds #biodiversity #planning #surveys #support #ecoexploration #diptera #insect #insects #insectsofinstagram #fly #flies #robber #robberfly #daspeltis #nature #wildlife #invertebrates (at Overberg)