Posts Tagged: robber fly

Happy 'World Robber Fly Day!'

Do you know that today is "World Robber Fly Day?" "World Robber Day?" you ask. No, "World Robber Fly Day." Among those celebrating this special day is doctoral candidate Charlotte Herbert Alberts of the Department of Entomology and Nematology,...

UC Davis doctoral candidate Charlotte Herbert Alberts reads to her son, Griffin, born in April of 2020.

UC Davis doctoral candidate Charlotte Herbert Alberts reads to her son, Griffin, born in April of 2020.

This family photo, taken in June 2020, shows George and Charlotte Alberts and their son, Griffin.

This family photo, taken in June 2020, shows George and Charlotte Alberts and their son, Griffin.

Why You Should Celebrate World Robber Fly Day

Quick, do you know what today is? It's World Robber Fly Day! Question is, how are you celebrating it? April 30 is both a momentous and delightful occasion for Charlotte Herbert Alberts, who studies robber flies. A fourth-year doctoral candidate in...

A robber fly, Ommatius amula, with prey. Today (April 30) is World Robber Day. (Drawing by Charlotte Herbert Alberts.)

A robber fly, Ommatius amula, with prey. Today (April 30) is World Robber Day. (Drawing by Charlotte Herbert Alberts.)

UC Davis doctoral candidate Charlotte Herbert Alberts in her habitat.

UC Davis doctoral candidate Charlotte Herbert Alberts in her habitat.

It's all about robber flies in the habitat of Charlotte Herbert Alberts.

It's all about robber flies in the habitat of Charlotte Herbert Alberts.

Santa Is a Robber Fly

Santa may be a jolly ol' elf who gives away presents, but he is also a robber fly. Take it from UC Davis entomology student Wade Spencer. Spencer decided to create a Bohart Museum of Entomology Christmas card--an insect version--and sure enough, Santa...

Santa Claus is a robber fly and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an argid sawfly. (Image by Wade Spencer)

Santa Claus is a robber fly and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an argid sawfly. (Image by Wade Spencer)

Santa driving his sleigh of reindeer, insect-style. (Image by Wade Spencer)

Santa driving his sleigh of reindeer, insect-style. (Image by Wade Spencer)

Happy Hanukkah! With stick insects. (Image by Wade Spencer)

Happy Hanukkah! With stick insects. (Image by Wade Spencer)

Robber Fly: Totally Aggressive

Check out that moustache! Once you see the powerfully built robber fly of the Asilidae family, with its huge eyes, short proboscis and bristly "moustache," you won't forget it. It's an aggressive predator known for its speed, its strength, and its...

Close-up shot of a robber fly's eyes. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Close-up shot of a robber fly's eyes. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Side view of a robber fly on sedum. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Side view of a robber fly on sedum. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bird's eye view of a robber fly. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bird's eye view of a robber fly. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey

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