your money or your life

...if you are another insect, then probably your life.

This afternoon, we went over to Arne RSPB reserve (which is our usual choice on windy days) in my quest to find some more different and interesting flies. This little critter is a member of the Asilidae family of flies, commonly called robber flies. Most species sit in wait for a passing meal and then dart out to chase and catch it in mid-air. The prey is then sucked dry using the robber fly's stout proboscis. They have 'beards' to protect their eyes from struggling prey. This one is Pamponerus germanicus...