Common Awl Robber Fly, Loonse en Drunense Duinen, Netherlands

Feeding on what appears to be a cicada-like insect.

References:
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosrandroofvlieg#/media/Bestand:Neoitamus_cyanurus1.jpg
https://waarneming.nl/photos/29106970/

Other than a visual match, it's also a habitat match, yet still posing it as tentative species. If correct, dutch name is "Forest edge robber fly".

Main alternative candidate is Machimus (Tolmerus) atricapillus. It looks highly similar yet it is described as having a vague gradation from dark to red in the legs, whilst the species on the photo has a hard edge.

comments (5)

Christine Young

Lion

Nice shot! I usually can't snap a pic fast enough with robber flies. Posted 4 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  They are super fast, if you're lucky they're feeding like here, you'll have a good chance. The other tactic is cold early mornings, but not my cup of tea. Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    My idea of a cold, early morning is nothing before 9am or colder than 13C. Don't think I'll ever be an early bird without being seriously cranky as well. But, I do see plenty of robber flies with prey...I think my problem is that I start chatting to them before taking a picture and they flee during this one-sided conversation. Posted 4 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Chatting :)
      
      Agree on early mornings. They say the early bird gets the worm yet they fail to reason from the perspective of the worm. I do prefer to rise at sunrise. Of the next day. Posted 4 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Haha!
        
        And, I recommend chatting with insects...if nothing else, it scares the humans away. Posted 4 years ago