FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Robber Flies Trivia Quiz

This is a quiz containing basic questions about the family of flies known as robber flies. It deals with North American types only.

A multiple-choice quiz by Maijin. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Maijin

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
240,778

Updated
May 13 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
618

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The family name for robber flies is what? Hint

Asilidae

Culicidae

Pentatomidae

Fasilidae

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Robber flies take their prey on the wing. Their method of doing this is best described as what? Hint

Chasing down

Intercepting

None of these

Knocking down

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. There is a genus of robber flies known as Laphria. What insects does this type commonly mimic? Hint

Grasshoppers

Damselflies

Ants

Bees

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Another genus of robberflies involved in mimicry is Leptogaster. What insects do some species of this type mimic? Hint

Moths

Damselflies

Grasshoppers

Ants

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. The Proctacanthus genus of robber flies are known as being particularly large. Which prey type could an adult member of this genus catch and consume? Hint

Robber flies

Dragonflies

All of these

Houseflies

6. Flies are distinguished by having two wings. Their second set of wings has become a couple of knobbed structures past their first set called halteres. Robber flies usually have brightly hued halteres. What is it thought that these knobbed organs aid in doing? Hint

Making noises that drive people insane

Stabilizing the fly in flight

Excreting a substance that aids in escaping spider webs

Producing pheremones

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Robber flies have natural enemies. Choose the answer that best describes the robber fly's foes. Hint

Spiders

Birds

All of these

Robber flies

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Robber flies, having caught their prey, then employ a sharp beak to do the rest. What is this beak used to do? Hint

Stab the prey to death

Eviscerate the prey

Dazzle the prey with a light show

Inject proteins that liquify the prey's innards so they may be sucked through said beak

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Little is known of the larval life of robber flies. Where is it thought they spend most of their time? Hint

Flying about

In plant stems

On flowers

Underground

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following characterises robber flies? Hint

Some robberflies mimic wasps

Robber flies are not harmful to man

All of these

Robber flies have been known to eat grasshoppers

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The family name for robber flies is what?

Answer: Asilidae

Robber flies are order Diptera, family Asilidae in the class Insecta. Pentatomidae are stinkbugs and Culicidae are mosquitoes and such. I made up Fasilidae.

2. Robber flies take their prey on the wing. Their method of doing this is best described as what?

Answer: Intercepting

Another type of insect that catches prey on the wing is dragonflies. While dragonflies typically chase down their prey, robberflies are thought to anticipate their prey's flight path and intercept the prey in mid-flight.

3. There is a genus of robber flies known as Laphria. What insects does this type commonly mimic?

Answer: Bees

Many Laphria have uncanny similarities to different types of bees. They will sit around on flowers, where other bees are gathering nectar, and prey on them from there.

4. Another genus of robberflies involved in mimicry is Leptogaster. What insects do some species of this type mimic?

Answer: Damselflies

Leptogasters of sorts mimic damselflies. A good tell tale for robber fly mimics is the appearance of the tops of their heads as being concave.

5. The Proctacanthus genus of robber flies are known as being particularly large. Which prey type could an adult member of this genus catch and consume?

Answer: All of these

The Proctacanthus rodecki, or giant robber fly, is known to have a length of up to one and an eighth inches and has been witnessed and photographed eating insects of all sorts, including dragonflies much larger than itself. Another large genus is the Promachus.

Answer: Stabilizing the fly in flight

Halteres are thought to be packed with sensory organs that aid flies in flight. Many robber fly's halteres have bright colors such as orange. These colors fade after death.

7. Robber flies have natural enemies. Choose the answer that best describes the robber fly's foes.

Answer: All of these

Birds, spiders and other robber flies are thought to prey on the Asilids.

8. Robber flies, having caught their prey, then employ a sharp beak to do the rest. What is this beak used to do?

Answer: Inject proteins that liquify the prey's innards so they may be sucked through said beak

After intercepting prey in mid-flight, the Asilid quickly injects liquifying agents into the prey, and then sucks the soupy innards into its stomach. Robber flies do not succeed in hunting every time. Often they make many attempts on many targets. Some fly after prey that is too formidable, such as horseflies, and a fierce melee results.

9. Little is known of the larval life of robber flies. Where is it thought they spend most of their time?

Answer: Underground

Robber fly larvae have not been well studied, partially because it is hard to follow the life of things so tiny as they go about their business underground. It is known that they are voracious predators like the adults they will become.

10. Which of the following characterises robber flies?

Answer: All of these

The worst a robber fly could do to a man is administer a pinch with its sharp beak, and then only the largest could. The larvae do not harm crops nor infect plants with disease. Some robberflies feed on grasshoppers and many robber flies of the genus Diogmetes mimic wasps.

Source: Author Maijin

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.