Tolmerus maximus
| Tolmerus maximus | ||||||||||||
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Tolmerus maximus (female) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Tolmerus maximus | ||||||||||||
| Loew , 1869 |
Tolmerus maximus (Syn .: Epitriptus maximus ) is a fly from the family of predatory flies (Asilidae).
features
The flies reach a body length of 18 to 19 millimeters. Her body is colored yellow-gray, the abdomen has a brownish tinge that is missing on the back line. The facial cusp is strongly developed and has a black bristle above and a yellow bristle below. The face is colored yellowish white. The species can be confused with various other, mostly somewhat smaller species.
Occurrence and way of life
The species is widespread in southern Europe and is found mainly in open areas with low vegetation, especially in the coastal area. The animals hunt from the ground or from stones. Before they pounce on their prey, they first fly up in a loop. The prey is caught between the legs and the body and immediately stung with the trunk.
supporting documents
literature
- Joachim Haupt, Hiroko Haupt: Flies and Mosquitoes. Observation, way of life . 1st edition. Naturbuch-Verlag, Jena and Stuttgart 1995, ISBN 3-89440-278-4 .