Hidden Canaveral: Sky Bandits
- friendsofcanaveral
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Jimi Sadle
Canaveral National Seashore, Biologist
When I think of flies, at best, I think of a picnic with an open tub of potato salad and the familiar, annoying buzz.
This stereotype, however, does nothing but underestimate this large, important and diverse order of insects. Flies are much more than lowly rubbish rangers. They disassemble roadkill, pollinate flowers and even remove excess blood from visitors (e.g., mosquitoes).
Walking along the Eldora Hammock Trail at Canaveral National Seashore, I encountered a giant mosquito-like fly hanging upside down from the tip of a saw palmetto leaf. With its free legs, it was holding a large wasp, using its large and pointed mouthparts to drain its prey.
I had unintentionally introduced myself to the world of robber flies, also known as assassin flies. Robber flies are an apex predator of the insect microsociety, catching dragonflies, wasps and just about anything else on the wing. While robber flies are basically harmless to humans, they can inflict a painful bite if handled.
Adults are active in mid-summer and can be found in open sands of the beach, shady hammocks, pinelands and even developed areas. Some look like oversized mosquitoes, while others look like hairy dragonflies. One even looks like a bumblebee with sunglasses!
Nature enthusiasts (using the iNaturalist app) have recorded 10 robber fly species in the National Seashore. There likely are many more of the 100 species known from Florida, but they are wary fliers and very challenging to observe closely. Aside from a few large and readily recognizable species, they are also challenging to correctly identify.
The next time you are on the beach, be observant and you might catch a glimpse of one of these striking sky bandits.
