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Post by johnnyboy on Apr 8, 2012 13:19:27 GMT -8
One of the larger species of Aussie fly, a male of the Hercules robberfly Neoaratus hercules. (thanks to Dave Williams for the ID) Cost me £1-00 ($1-60) at an insect fair. Have seen dealers charging $1,000 for big Aussie flies. Johnny Attachments:
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Post by bichos on Apr 8, 2012 19:34:13 GMT -8
 Bargain, congrats... difficult to gauge the size of this beastie from the picture. A measurement, please 
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Post by johnnyboy on Apr 8, 2012 22:10:57 GMT -8
Wingspan 58mm, body length 35mm. Beautiful complex wing venation and leg coloration.
Johnny
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Post by bichos on Apr 11, 2012 19:38:49 GMT -8
BIG fly indeed, thank you.
Yes they are very aware of their surroundings and fast, thus very difficult to catch.
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Post by krupten on Apr 23, 2012 15:35:03 GMT -8
HI Johnny - yes that is a nice specimen - but there are two that are definately more specatcular - one with a huge flat body - SORRY I ONLY COLLECTED THEM and gave all my specimens to Greg Daniels, and one that had been only recorded from Western Australia - that was until about 1976 when Rod Eastwood and I took several from a mesa called Sugarloaf - just inland from Rockhampton. (I hated that mountain - and about 1/2 way up the sound of FLIES was deafening). If you get UP to Rocky - drive INLAND and ask for a hill called SUGARLOAF and if you are there on the right time and season - you are blessed with literally thousands of flies, coleoptera and leps. Mind your way up - it is NOT KIND and you cannot go in a vertical track - you have to spiral a bit, and mind the dung as you pick your way thru the brambles as they grow profusely along the base (the wallabies revenge on humanity). IT IS HOT - IT IS DRY and IT IS AN EXPERIENCE! Cheers and if you can contact Greg Daniels - he is Number on the Asilids for sure!
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Post by johnnyboy on Apr 27, 2012 12:54:37 GMT -8
I realise there are much more spectacular Aussie flies, I have a Blepharotes splendidissimus that is really big and beautiful.
I would like more species and will contact as you suggest.
Thanks
Johnny
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w1
Full Member
Have had a great start to my season
Posts: 123
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Post by w1 on Sept 5, 2013 17:36:45 GMT -8
I'm interested in aussie flies! Please keep me informed. Thanks
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Post by lucanidae25 on Sept 5, 2013 18:12:24 GMT -8
HI Johnny - yes that is a nice specimen - but there are two that are definately more specatcular - one with a huge flat body - SORRY I ONLY COLLECTED THEM and gave all my specimens to Greg Daniels, and one that had been only recorded from Western Australia - that was until about 1976 when Rod Eastwood and I took several from a mesa called Sugarloaf - just inland from Rockhampton. (I hated that mountain - and about 1/2 way up the sound of FLIES was deafening). If you get UP to Rocky - drive INLAND and ask for a hill called SUGARLOAF and if you are there on the right time and season - you are blessed with literally thousands of flies, coleoptera and leps. Mind your way up - it is NOT KIND and you cannot go in a vertical track - you have to spiral a bit, and mind the dung as you pick your way thru the brambles as they grow profusely along the base (the wallabies revenge on humanity). IT IS HOT - IT IS DRY and IT IS AN EXPERIENCE! Cheers and if you can contact Greg Daniels - he is Number on the Asilids for sure! I've only ever seen one specimen of that supper big one from Western Australia in an old Carnaby's collection, even him only had one specimen in his collection. It's one of the biggest I've ever seen. The same one also found in centrel NSW. |
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Post by nomad on Sept 8, 2013 21:15:37 GMT -8
For a picture of a small British Robber-fly mating, only a inch long, i am afraid, see the photography section. Despite its size still a highly efficient predator.
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Post by colin12303 on Sept 10, 2013 0:40:16 GMT -8
For a picture of a small British Robber-fly mating, only a inch long, i am afraid see the photography section. Despite its size still a highly efficient predator. You should look at the Diptera section of the forum. Whereabouts was the downland the robber flies were. I see a small number on the North Downs in Kent |
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Post by nomad on Sept 10, 2013 8:41:20 GMT -8
These Robber-flies were found on the North Wiltshire Downs
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