Gianty Robber Fly on grasshopper

[Jim in Idaho]

These guys take their prey right out of the air. They kill bees, wasps, flying ants, you name it. never seen one on a grasshopper before finding this one near the old Great Northern Mine in Idaho's Little Lost valley.
Jim

 

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[tamrock]

Looking up Robber Fly, sure looks like what that might be

 

[Jim in Idaho]

That's what it is, Grant. We have lots of them here. They're really wary, and the only times I've been able to get a closeup is when they have prey they're sucking on. When they're hungry their abdomen is as thin as a stick. This guy had been feeding on that 'hopper for awhile...not how fat it's abdomen is.
Jim