Anyone care to explain….

[BrandonM]

They look like mutant mosquitoes. I used to wonder what they were. Luckily google was there for me in my time of need.

 

[Snattlerake]

It's a Green eyed Robber Fly. They like to hang out around my tractor exhaust for some reason during the summer when it's a million degrees outside lol. Not a horse fly.

Can robber flies bite humans?

Yes. If handled roughly, robber flies (at least the larger ones) can inflict a painful bite. They practice "extraoral digestion," which means they shoot enzymes into their prey to pre-digest it by liquifying the tissues.

This is a horse fly. These sumbiches hurt!

Horseflies are about as big or bigger than a quarter.

The Robber Flys I have always considered to be a good critter because they kill houseflies and such. I let them be and they let me be. I like to watch them hunt.

 

[Okie4570]

Can robber flies bite humans?

Yes. If handled roughly, robber flies (at least the larger ones) can inflict a painful bite. They practice "extraoral digestion," which means they shoot enzymes into their prey to pre-digest it by liquifying the tissues.

This is a horse fly. These sumbiches hurt!

View attachment 285834

View attachment 285835
Horseflies are about as big or bigger than a quarter.

The Robber Flys I have always considered to be a good critter because they kill houseflies and such. I let them be and they let me be. I like to watch them hunt.

I've had them buzz around me for years but none have ever landed on me.

 

[Gunbuffer]

One of the 4 Horseflies of the Apocalypse

You stole my joke. We are now mortal enemies

 

[KroyWen]

Mothman

 

[THAT Gurl]

Yikes!

 

[Okie4570]

Had a red one pretty similar a while ago that kept landing on my tractor steering wheel while I was moving roadsides a while ago. Tried to get a pic but every time I'd stop he'd fly off.

 

[Parks 788]

Thanks for the answers. It was a crazy looking critter!

 

[TerryMiller]

We had a mobile RV repair guy out the other day and a dark, good sized critter went flying by. I didn't get a good look at it, so I can't say it is a Robber Fly. The repair guy did point out the bug and say that they were good to have around because they went after mosquitoes.

Since we have a creek going right by the RV park, I hope more of those mosquito-eaters show up.

 

[thor447]

Noted, adding Robber Flies to the list of things I make sure not to mess with. The Honey Badger still remains at the top of the list.