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Flies of Zihuatanejo

ORDER DIPTERA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Flies Order (Diptera)

-Brachyceran Flies (Suborder Brachycera)​

-Orthorrhaphan Flies (Infraorder Orthorrhapha)

-​Superfamily Asiloidea

-Robber Flies (Family Asilidae)​

-Subfamily Laphriinae

-Tribe Atomosiini

-Genus Atomosia


The genus Atomosia comprises a group of slender, often wasp-like robber flies (family Asilidae) found primarily in North and Central America, especially in warm, open habitats such as dry woodlands, scrublands, and grassland edges. Atomosia species are agile aerial predators that usually hunt from low perches on twigs, stems, or exposed ground. From these vantage points, they launch rapid flights to intercept other small insects—such as flies, leafhoppers, and tiny beetles—grasping them with their spiny legs.

Atomosia Robber Flies

Atomosia (Genus)

Description

  • Atomosia is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae. Species are generally small to medium-sized, slender-bodied flies with a prominent, piercing proboscis, large eyes, and long legs. They often have relatively narrow wings and may display contrasting bands or patches of dark and pale hairs on the body. Like other robber flies, they are agile aerial predators that capture other insects in flight.

Range

  • Species of Atomosia occur primarily in the Americas, with the greatest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Numerous species occur in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Atomosia robber flies can be encountered in the Zihua area.

Habitat

  • Usually found in warm, open or semi-open habitats, including forest edges, tropical woodland, scrub, grassland, clearings, and areas of disturbed vegetation. Adults often perch on exposed leaves, twigs, stems, or other elevated surfaces from which they launch short flights to intercept passing insects.

Diet

  • Adults are predators that capture other insects in flight, including small flies, wasps, bees, beetles, and other flying arthropods. Prey is seized with the legs and subdued with the piercing proboscis, through which digestive enzymes and saliva are injected before the liquefied tissues are consumed.

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