Robberflies are considered 'hanging thieves' becaue they use their arms to suspend themselves from twigs and branches and steal a meal from unsuspecting flying insects. A passerby like a bee, wasp or other fly don't see them as they roam. If they are spotted and within range, the Robberfly will chase the flying insect, eventually overtaking them. Once caught, the Robberfly uses its legs to hold the prey and carry it to a nearby plant. It then uses its sharp mouth to stab the victim and then suck out the victim's insides.
They make a loud whirring noise as they fly because they beat their wings so rapidly. The Efferia species male is slightly darker than the female. At the tip of the male's abdomen is black 'bulb' Females do not have this feature; instead they have long needle-like ovipositors, which they use to inject their fertilizes eggs into the soil. It may look like a stinger at first glance, but it is not a stinger. Both genders can be found hanging around in open fields, parks, meadows and other dry areas.
Common name: Robber Fly (Efferia)
Scientific Name: Efferia pogonias
Other Names: Robber fly
Adult Size (Length): 13mm to 19mm (0.51in to 0.75in) COMPARE
Identifying Colors: white; black; gray; brown
General Description: flying, buzzing, noisy, fast, shiny, metallic
North American Reach (Though Not Limited To*): Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; Nevada; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; North Dakota; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; West Virginia; Wisconsin; Wyoming; Alberta; British Columbia; Manitoba; New Brunswick; Newfoundland and Labrador; Nova Scotia; Ontario; Prince Edward Island; Quebec; Saskatchewan; Mexico
* Keep in mind that insect reach is not governed by lines on a map and therefore may appear in areas/regions/states beyond those listed above.