The Robber-fly is a bristly predatory fly which chase and capture insects in mid-air. It would have no problem catching the small species of butterfly such as this small Holly-Blue.Most species sit and wait, and then dart out when likely prey apears. The prey is then sucked dry with the stout probosis. A beard on the face protects eyes from struggling prey.
Hi Sonjia, I think you are spot on with your Holly Blue ID. The only other blues with pale undersides to their wings in Europe have larger spots on the forewings. Your specimen looks fairly old, so has probably lost a few of its distinguishing features. The Robber Fly looks to be a formidable creature. I don't like the sound of it capturing small butterflies, but it looks as though it has a wasp in your picture. I wonder if it one of those predatory wasps that lays its eggs in chrysalises?
I really love the first picture...color patterns so lively and brilliant! Ready to paint...All pictures very interesting for the naturalistic qualities,but my heart beats for the first shoot!Have nice week, warm hugs,Rita.
Joke (Jokes Camera) Thank you Joke:)I'm with you on this one. The colour contrast between the blue butterfly and the pink and orange flowers is very beautiful.
NickMorgan Thank you for coming Nick:)Yes, the markings were so faint and small that that was the conclusion I reached, but very happy you also think so.I wouldn't want to post false information. It does look like a wasp Nick. It's a revelation that wasps lay eggs in chrysalises, but I can't say I'm surprised, as nature constantly amazes me.Going to look it up now! Thanks again for your help:)
Rita Vaselli Thank you Rita!:) I couldn't agree with you more. My favourite photo is the first one, for it's warm rich colours. It made my heart skip a beat when I saw it. Enjoy this week with your family.:) Take care Rita dear.
Very beautiful pictures of the blue colored butterfly. The pictures of the Robber is good to but I can´t say it´s beautiful only interesting. In agree with your title. The red you asked about is a red autumn leaf falling down in the waterfall. Greetings from Monica
Hello! Many thanks for your kind comments on my latest publications, how sweet of you! This butterfly is exquisite naturally and your pictures are superb! The Robber-fly is certainly a beast in comparison but oh so useful! It rids us of so many bugs! It is known to also attack dragonflies... Scared of nothing! LOL! Makes me feel avenged it caught a wasp since I have been stung twice recently (once by a hornet) although I was not even trying to be funny with them! Cheerio, take care!
Thank you Noushka:)I can see why you have a favourable opinion of the Robber-fly,:)A hornet's sting must have been really painful.
I discovered the name of the Robber-fly on your blog. I had had these photos for ages, but could'nt find an ID for it.Many thanks for helping me out.:)
52 comments:
Very pretty Lycaenidae!
Mam nadzieję, ze pająk nie złapał tego motyla. Zdjecia wspaniałe. Pozdrawiam.
I hope you did not catch the spider butterfly. Photos wonderful. Yours.
pretty butterfly
Nice look inside of the lives of Butterflies and the Robbers-fly, well done.
Such beauty found in both! Stunning photography.
Hi Sonjia!
A most fitting title for today`s post. And this Robber-fly doesn`t look at all friendly;definitely...
Great pictures!
Have a happy rest of Sunday, and a good week.
Vitor
wow, that robber fly is fiercely impressive!
Hi Sonjia,
I think you are spot on with your Holly Blue ID. The only other blues with pale undersides to their wings in Europe have larger spots on the forewings. Your specimen looks fairly old, so has probably lost a few of its distinguishing features.
The Robber Fly looks to be a formidable creature. I don't like the sound of it capturing small butterflies, but it looks as though it has a wasp in your picture. I wonder if it one of those predatory wasps that lays its eggs in chrysalises?
It's really beautiful and the beast. I hate flies but I love butterflies. This is beautiful. kisses
That robber fly is ferocious looking....
I really love the first picture...color patterns so lively and brilliant! Ready to paint...All pictures very interesting for the naturalistic qualities,but my heart beats for the first shoot!Have nice week, warm hugs,Rita.
WOW!! I LOVE all of these.. Such great macro shot.
Hugs~
Wow!!! Your photos are absolutely brilliant! Gorgeous captures here...thank you so much for sharing.
Hid-aka
I love all the blue butterflies, and the colour on the upper wings of this one was so vibrant. Yes it is certainly a pretty butterfly.
Thank you for passing by, and have a good week.
Giga
I have seen a Robber fly catch a butterfly, but it didn't catch the one in my post.
Have a good week.
Adam
Yes indeed a very pretty butterfly Adam.
claggle
Hi Claggle! Thank you so much for your nice comment.
Bob Bushell
Thank you Bob!:) There is always something of interest to see in my garden and to share with you.
Fantastic series, Sonjia. Although they are all gorgeous, I love the first two pictures most. They are so colorful. Greetings, Joke
Que buen contraste entre las imágenes de la belleza de la mariposa frente a la crueldad del depredador.
Saludos
Joke (Jokes Camera)
Thank you Joke:)I'm with you on this one. The colour contrast between the blue butterfly and the pink and orange flowers is very beautiful.
Have a wonderful week.:)
Victor Aranda
Hello Victor!
Thank you,.. yes indeed, even I find the contrast quite shocking!
Thank you for passing by!:)
vitorchuvashortstories
Thank you Vitor! If I were an insect I would be very scared of this fly!:)
Have a good week.:)
TexWisGirl
For sure it is a fierce looking and acting fly. I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw it catching insects larger than itself.
NickMorgan
Thank you for coming Nick:)Yes, the markings were so faint and small that that was the conclusion I reached, but very happy you also think so.I wouldn't want to post false information.
It does look like a wasp Nick.
It's a revelation that wasps lay eggs in chrysalises, but I can't say I'm surprised, as nature constantly amazes me.Going to look it up now! Thanks again for your help:)
Mary Brown
Thank you Brown Eyes:) September flies are literally a real pain,ouch!! They are everywhere and so bothersome to humans and animals alike.
Have a good week!
Hugs and kisses:)
Nancy
He looks ferocious, and quite ugly I think, but it's one of Gods creatures, that has a place and a purpose here on earth.
Have a good week:)
Rita Vaselli
Thank you Rita!:) I couldn't agree with you more. My favourite photo is the first one, for it's warm rich colours. It made my heart skip a beat when I saw it.
Enjoy this week with your family.:)
Take care Rita dear.
Linda R
Há há, thank you Linda! Love your enthusiasm!
Hugs right back to you!:)
Linda
Thank you Linda!:)It really is my pleasure!
Have a good week!
What richness of colors in the first two! Marvelous!
Many greetings!
ioan moldovan
Thank you Ioan! I could not resist those colours.
I had no idea The Robber-fly had that appearance. I's impressive. But part of nature.
Maria
Hello Maria:)
For sure each creature has it's place, and purpose.
Many thanks for passing by!
Very beautiful pictures of the blue colored butterfly. The pictures of the Robber is good to but I can´t say it´s beautiful only interesting.
In agree with your title.
The red you asked about is a red autumn leaf falling down in the waterfall.
Greetings from
Monica
Sempre encantada com as suas fotos.
Bj.
Irene Alves
cudowny motyl:)
M
Thank you Monica:)The Holly Blue is only small but such a lovely blue colour. I would say the Robber-fly is ugly!:)
Thank you for satisfying my curiosity Monica.It looked very nice!
Silenciosamente ouvindo
Obrigado Irene!É sempre simpática:)
Bjos.
Hello!
Many thanks for your kind comments on my latest publications, how sweet of you!
This butterfly is exquisite naturally and your pictures are superb!
The Robber-fly is certainly a beast in comparison but oh so useful!
It rids us of so many bugs!
It is known to also attack dragonflies... Scared of nothing! LOL!
Makes me feel avenged it caught a wasp since I have been stung twice recently (once by a hornet) although I was not even trying to be funny with them!
Cheerio, take care!
I like the soft grays and blues in the butterfly.
ΥΠΕΡΟΧΕΣ ΕΙΚΟΝΕΣ!!!!!!ΚΑΛΟ ΜΗΝΑ!!!!
Really cool shots!!! I love that robber fly! What a strange looking fellow:) It reminds me of a praying mantis:)
Noushka
Thank you Noushka:)I can see why you have a favourable opinion of the Robber-fly,:)A hornet's sting must have been really painful.
I discovered the name of the Robber-fly on your blog. I had had these photos for ages, but could'nt find an ID for it.Many thanks for helping me out.:)
S. Etole
Yes, so do I Susan. I believe it's the palest of the small blue butterflies.
karmnic54
Hi!
Yes a marvelous butterfly. Thank you for passing by.
fotolabida maria
Thank you so much:)Nice to see you here::)
Chris Rohrer
Thank you Chris:)Yes it's a strange looking fellow, with it's beard, and really long legs.One to look out for, if you're an insect!!:)
Beautiful cover and great macro.. Thanks for sharing and comments.. Cheers..
Ana Minguez Corella
Thank you Ana!:)
Enjoy your weekend!
Also these photos are beautiful!
Greetings, RW & SK
Beertje Zonn
Thank you so much!:)
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