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Hello !

I think that is an Asilus crabroniformis but I am not sure


P-Y Gloaguen : France : 29/8/2005 : Confort-Meilars : 29790
size : lenght : 24,7 mm ; scale : 40,2 mm

Pierre-yves

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This is indeed asilus crabroniformis!
greetings

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thank you Gerard

Pierre-Yves

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I wondered if we had a picture of this species in action somewhere.

Alas, my picture is not good enough for publication. (My previous camera had spot auto-focusing and the latest one hasn't. I thought this essential function would come as standard. )

6 August 2006
A Hornet Robber Fly caught a Greenbottle and landed briefly on the Pixie Path. The Greenbottles were attracted by about a dozen to a dog's faex and the predatory insect pounced. This large fly was quick to fly off.

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I have not read this but

Reference

Smith, M. (2000) The hornet robber fly Asilus crabroniformis: land use and livestock grazing regimes at sites in England. English Nature Research Report No. 387.


http://www.essexfieldclub.org.uk/hornet_robber_fly.htm

I see these flies on Frampton's Field (Shoreham) every year.

It has been grazed by horses for 20+ years only.

Location page:
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Pixieland2006.html

Cheers

Andy Horton
glaucus@hotmail.com
Adur Valley (West Sussex VC13) Nature Notes
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Adur2006.html
Adur Valley Nature Notes: August 2006
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/August2006.html
Adur Valley & Downs Gallery
http://www.flickr.com/groups/adur/pool/

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I have found a better picture at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aphidtwix/207464838/

but this one is not mine to post on this thread.

I would be interested in the type of dung that this fly is associated with. The one I have seen are all bar one next to a field of horses with great piles of dung. They capture greenbottles in all instances so far.