Introduction
Robber flies are medium to large sized insects belonging to the order Diptera. They are common in temperate, tropical and arid habitats across the world, where they hunt other insects. While they mainly feed on small flying insects, like bees and butterflies, they can also be a nuisance to humans.
So do robber flies bite?
The answer is no: robber flies do not bite people or animals and are not known to transmit any diseases. However, some types of robber flies may attempt to pinch with their long front legs if disturbed. Robber fly bites can cause redness, itching and swelling due to an anticoagulant saliva released by these predators that helps them subdue their prey more effectively. Despite these effects being relatively minor and harmless for humans, it’s best to avoid provoking these creatures in any way if you wish avoid a potential confrontation with them.
What are Robber Flies?
Robber Flies are a type of fly belonging to the family Asilidae. They are known for their large heads and have a variety of colors. Robber Flies have a unique hunting style which includes catching prey in mid-air. They feed on other insects, such as bees, wasps, and beetles.
These flies can be found worldwide in different habitats. Now let’s dive into their behavior and if they bite humans or not.
Anatomy
Robber flies belong to the family Asilidae, which contains more than 7,000 species worldwide. They are true flies and notable for their long, thick proboscis or “beak” and slender body. Most robber flies have either gray or brown bodies and are usually about one-half inch in length. The typical wingspan is between 1½ – 2 inches wide. They also have distinctive spiked fly legs that point downward when flying; this gives them great mobility when tracking down prey.
Robberflies come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and markings; from plain dark shades to brightly patterned stripes depending on subfamily and species. While the anatomy of robber flies varies slightly among species, these insects generally share similar physical characteristics including:
- Long antennae
- Wide heads
- Hair-covered eyes
- Large uneven wings with distinctive veins
- Long thick proboscis (mouthpiece)
- Spiked fly legs
Habitat
Robber flies are abundant in most terrestrial habitats throughout the world. They inhabit forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas, as well as more specialized habitats such as wetlands and shorelines in temperate and tropical regions. Robber flies have also been introduced to some parts of the world and can be found living around human settlements. While robber flies prefer warm climates, they have adapted to cooler environments too.
Robber flies tend to stay close to the ground or near areas with plenty of vegetation where food is more likely to be found. They are often seen hovering around flowers where many of their prey species congregate for nectar or other sources of food, such as aphids. Robber flies can also be spotted:
- Perching on vegetation or tree branches near their hunt sites
- Taking flight again in pursuit of prey
Do Robber Flies Bite?
Robber flies are a type of insect that are quite common in many parts of the world. But, the question often arises, do robber flies bite? To answer this question, it’s important to understand the behavior of the robber fly and the types of bites that can occur. This article will explore these topics in more detail to help you understand the answer to this question.
Can they bite humans?
Robber flies – also known as assassin flies – are predatory insects that live in many habitats all over the world. They use a long needle-like proboscis to feed on their prey, which includes insects and spiders. But do robber flies bite humans?
The short answer is no; robber flies do not pose any threat to humans. There have been times when people have reported being bitten by these predatory insects, but it is highly unlikely that the bites were actually caused by a robber fly. The most common culprits are blood-sucking parasites such as fleas or ticks that may have mistaken humans as food sources.
Even if robber flies did possess the capability to bite humans, they would not do so because:
- they rely on hunting and eating other insects for sustenance and there is no nutritional benefit gained from biting humans; and
- unlike some other flying insects (such as bees), a robber fly does not have the ability to sting its prey or humans, so any “attack” from one of these creatures will only result in very minimal pain or discomfort.
What do their bites feel like?
Robber flies, also known as robberflies or asilids, do bite humans in certain circumstances. The robber fly species are usually harmless and their bites are rarely painful, but only cause a slight stinging sensation that quickly subsides. But keep in mind that robbers can vary greatly in size and shape – some may possess larger mandibles than others and are capable of inflicting more painful bites due to extra strength and pressure.
A robber fly bite can feel like a pinch or even a bee sting but is rarely severe enough to require medical assistance. They usually target small insects but may become aggressive if disturbed by humans or large animals. As with other insect bites, the level of pain experienced will depend on the size of the robber fly, its mouthparts and how vigorously it enters your skin. As such, knowing what type of robber fly species you’re dealing with is beneficial in terms of avoiding any possible stings.
Thankfully, most robber flies will not attempt to bite humans unless they feel threatened or provoked.
Are Robber Flies Dangerous?
Robber flies are predatory insects that are found around the world. They are known for their ferocious hunting tactics, but some people wonder if these flies are dangerous to humans. Although it is highly unlikely that a robber fly would bite a human, it is important to understand the potential risks that come with being around these flies.
In this article, we will discuss the potential danger of robber flies and what you should do if you come in contact with them:
Are their bites poisonous?
While robber flies are not normally considered to be dangerous, they are capable of delivering a painful bite if they’re disturbed or provoked. But the good news is that their bites are not poisonous to humans and don’t contain any venom, so the risk of severe reactions from a robber fly bite is minimal.
The most common reaction to a robber fly bite is localized pain and swelling that may last for several hours. It’s relatively rare for an individual to experience more than mild discomfort from their bite. In some cases, the area around the bite may become red and itchy for a few days afterwards.
If you experience any systems of an allergic reaction after being bitten by a robber fly such as hives, swelling of the tongue or lips, difficulty breathing, or nausea and vomiting, it’s important to seek prompt medical attention as these could be signs of anaphylaxis.
Are they a health risk?
Robber flies are insect predators that are typically harmless to humans. They feed on a variety of different insects, including bees, wasps, and other flies, so it’s unlikely they would directly cause a health risk to humans. However, they have been known to bite if they are provoked or disturbed. Such bites can result in localized pain and swelling around the area. Since some species of robber flies are known to carry diseases such as tularemia and anthrax, it is important to seek medical attention if you have been bitten.
Although robber flies belong to the family Asilidae, there is great variation between species in terms of size, coloration, and aggressiveness. Most species of robber fly may appear intimidating due to their large bodies and biting mouthparts but ultimately pose no threat when it comes to human health.
Conclusion
Overall, robber flies can bite if provoked and left without adequate escape routes. However, their bites are not usually painful and the robber fly’s primary defense mechanism is to fly away. Therefore, although it is possible for a person to experience a robber fly bite, it is generally considered a rare event.
If you encounter a robber fly and would like to avoid being bitten, simply stand still and avoid making sudden movements that could further agitate the insect. Also, be aware of where you are placing your outside in wooded or grassy areas to prevent accidentally surprising an unsuspecting fly.