Red-footed Cannibalfly by cjwhite

Red-footed Cannibalfly

I see lots of robber flies. I have only recently seen these. They're Giant Robber Flies. I was a little disconcerted to read they can be a predator to hummingbirds. I also read recently the larger praying mantis can catch hummers. Nature can be harsh.

The grasshopper never had a chance. These robber flies can be 25-33mm. They pierce their prey with their beaks and drain the fluids.
really? very interesting!!! great capture of some busy bugs!
July 27th, 2012  
Yikes that thing is HUGE!!!! Amazing focus and your detail is incredible. All I can say is WOW. A fav for me.
July 27th, 2012  
Wow, great shot! The funny thing I've noticed about insects being eaten is that you can never tell they are in pain. They kind only have one expression. Weird...
July 27th, 2012  
Awesome techical capture but what an amazing story, the captive is almost as big as the captor !! fav for sure
July 27th, 2012  
A real struggle of life pic. Great close up with beautiful details A fav
July 27th, 2012  
Awesome
July 27th, 2012  
Beautiful capture ... wonderful pov and clarity.
July 27th, 2012  
this is so super, wonderful focus, but is he eating or are they having fun??
July 27th, 2012  
Fantastic shot - such wonderful detail. And thanks for the science lesson, too - there's so much to learn out there.
July 27th, 2012  
This is fabulous! Yes, nature can be cruel.
July 27th, 2012  
amazing details!
July 27th, 2012  
Very harsh. You really don't want to think about it, because we are one of the few creatures, that for the most part, don't die a violent death.
July 27th, 2012  
Wow, Carolyn! This is amazing. Wonderful capture. Another fav. (I need to make a special Carolyn folder for the favs I save from your shots!)
July 27th, 2012  
Great capture… the male looks set for medieval combat.
July 27th, 2012  
@cookie123 He's eating the grasshopper.
July 27th, 2012  
Super shot! I am familiar with robber flies but not with this species. It's a bit disturbing to hear about them being hummingbird predators!
July 27th, 2012  
Lyn
Oh, my. . .I will have to hope never to run in to one of these. . .that poor grasshopper!
July 27th, 2012  
Boy...does it have the other pinned down! Wow! Great capture of life.
July 27th, 2012  
This is a great capture of nature in the raw. You are so right. I can be very harsh.
July 27th, 2012  
@lynnb The robber fly has pierced the grasshopper with its beak. It will drain all the fluids. The little grasshopper never had a chance.
July 27th, 2012  
The circle of life sure is a harsh one.
July 27th, 2012  
Kaz
Incredible ( :o
July 27th, 2012  
HeSoCute!!! at least I think, anyway!!
July 27th, 2012  
great catch
July 27th, 2012  
Great capture, I haven' seen one of these before
July 27th, 2012  
Wow, I didn't know there were giant robber flies... that prey on hummingbirds! Amazing. This is a fantastic shot!
July 27th, 2012  
Fantastic close-up shot. Wow, that must be big, the grasshopper looks so small in comparison.
July 27th, 2012  
A great capture. Are they fairly large?
July 27th, 2012  
nice shot! interesting that they can be a predator to hummingbirds...
July 27th, 2012  
That's excellent - if a touch horrid, but that's what it's all about ...
July 27th, 2012  
giant robber flies.....what next!
July 27th, 2012  
Terrific Capture - neat shot and info!
July 27th, 2012  
Yikes! And it looks like they might be making more Giant Robber Flies.
July 27th, 2012  
@digitalrn Yes, they can be 25-33mm.
July 27th, 2012  
Cool insects.
July 27th, 2012  
Wow .. Great capture
July 27th, 2012  
What a capture, amazing.
July 27th, 2012  
Good capture! I did not know this about robber flies. There are robber flies here and now the hummingbirds are migrating through. Oh my!
July 28th, 2012  
An amazing shot. I have never seen one before.
July 28th, 2012  
another gorgeous shot
July 28th, 2012  
Wow, crazy creature! Sad for hopper. :( Awesome capture and detail!
July 28th, 2012  
Phooey...that is aweful..poor grasshopper he just couldn't get away in time. great details and wonderful catch. fav.
July 29th, 2012  
WOW. A fav for me vanpire
July 29th, 2012  
Wow! It is very harsh but I do appreciate nature and all that it entails. I also appreciate so much this capture! I would never see anything like this had you not posted it! Great, great shot!
July 29th, 2012  
Fabulous capture and something I never knew about hummingbird predators. Poor grasshopper :( I have never heard of or seen a robber fly and personally hope I never do, in person that is ;-) Amazing catch.
August 3rd, 2012  
Amazing
August 8th, 2012  
Whoa, that is brutal. Life and death in the garden. What a mean looking creature.
August 9th, 2012  
awesome catch, wonderful image, poor grasshopper- that is one mean looking fly
August 19th, 2012  
new one for me. amazing details and info
September 4th, 2012  
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