Efferia pogonias
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| Efferia pogonias | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A female Efferia pogonias perched on vegetation in Connecticut, USA | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Asilidae |
| Genus: | Efferia |
| Species: | E. pogonias |
| Binomial name | |
| Efferia pogonias (Wiedemann, 1821) | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Efferia pogonias is a species of robber fly in the subfamily Asilinae.[1][2] Sometimes referred to as the yellow-bearded hammertail,[3][4] it is endemic to the eastern United States, where it occurs from Maine to Georgia in the east, and westward at least to Minnesota and Texas; records from Florida may not be valid.[2][3][5][6] This species prefers open and dry conditions, including sandy locations inland.[7] It is active from May to October, but activity peaks in fall, especially September.[3][5][6] Females lay their eggs in soil.[3]
Measuring 16–30 mm (0.63–1.18 in) in length, the species is a deep, dark brown across its body, with darkened wings and very dark legs; the tibiae may have a dark red tinge.[3][6] The mystax or "beard" of setae on the face is prominent and yellowish in color. The last two abdominal segments (numbers 6 and 7) are bright white in males. On females, the ovipositor is dark and somewhat rounded.[6] Like other robber flies in the genus Efferia, they are ambush predators, lying still on soil or low vegetation before sallying out to capture prey.[8]