Robber Fly (Assassin Fly)

These hairy little guys are pretty fierce and aggressive predatory flies.  From the family Diptera.  I’ve enjoyed the Robber Fly in action many times.  They seem to be completely unbothered by humans and focused on the hunt.  It is not unusual to see one zoom by with another fly or even a dragon fly in his grasp.  A patient viewer can observe a Robber Fly as he scope-out and hunts down his prey.  One may even get to view as he uses his small proboscis (straw-like mouth part) to liquefy and devour his prey.       This painting was done with watercolor and Prismacolor colored pencils on illustration board   11″ x 14″

If you’re interested in more info on robber Flies : http://www.everythingabout.net/articles/biology/animals/arthropods/insects/flies/robber_fly/