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Robberfly and prey


Robberfly and prey
Photo Information
Copyright: Paulo Tcr (tcr) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 158 W: 8 N: 538] (3384)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2011-08
Categories: Insects
Camera: Panasonic FZ40, close-up lens +4x
Exposure: f/8, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Robberflies of South America [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2012-03-31 6:13
Viewed: 2547
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Robberfly and prey.


Insects in the Diptera family Asilidae are commonly called robber flies. The family Asilidae contains about 7,100 described species worldwide.

All robber flies have stout, spiny legs, a dense moustache of bristles on the face, and 3 simple eyes in a characteristic depression between their two large compound eyes. The mystax helps protect the head and face when the fly encounters prey bent on defense. The antennae are short, 3-segmented, sometimes with a bristle-like structure called an arista.

The short, strong proboscis is used to stab and inject victims with saliva containing neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes which paralyze and digest the insides; the fly then sucks the liquefied meal through the proboscis. Many species have long, tapering abdomens, sometimes with a sword-like ovipositor. Others are fat-bodied bumblebee mimics. Adult robber flies attack other flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, various bees, ants, dragon and damselflies, Ichneumon wasps, grasshoppers, and some spiders.


Wikipedia.
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • iti Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 577 W: 0 N: 650] (7939)
  • [2012-03-31 9:02]

Hi Paulo,
A very nice close-up of this Robberfly. Nice colours with excellent details.
Good composition and background are nice too.
Have a good weekend
Regards Jiri.

Ciao Paulo, great capture of robberfly and poor prey, beautiful blurry BG, wonderful bright colors, fine details, excellent sharpness and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2012-03-31 15:24]

Hi Paulo,really a spectacular macro! What a precious details and brilliant colors and what a fantastic light management! A very professional work,i like it!Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2012-04-03 11:50]

Hi Paolo.
You have pictured the robber fly and its prey with great details. Colours are also amazing and BG is simply splendid. Subject is simple and at the timer wonderful. Well done and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2012-04-26 10:27]

Hello Paulo,
I've missed this fantastic photo. Excellent sharp detailed photo of this Robberfly with prey. Very beautiful colours, also in the blurred background. Pleasing composition. A beauty!
Regards,
Peter

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