Insect · GBIF taxon 5090570
Maroon-legged Lion Fly
Promachus hineiAlso known as Hine's Robber Fly, Maroon-legged Robber Fly
Maroon-legged lion flies are formidable aerial predators known for snatching bees, wasps, and beetles directly out of mid-air. Equipped with exceptional vision and spine-laden legs, they ambush prey from sunny perches atop tall grasses or shrubs before injecting paralyzing saliva. Their loud, deep buzz often announces their presence before their striking reddish legs and fuzzy brown thorax come into view.
InsectPredatorAirborne Predator
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Honey Bees
- Paper Wasps
- Beetles
Predators
- Insectivorous Birds
- Spiders
- Larger Robber Flies
ThreatsBroad-spectrum pesticide use and grassland habitat destruction
HabitatsGrasslands, old fields, pastures, and forest edges
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAsilidae
- SpeciesPromachus hinei
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a sharp, painful bite if handled; observe without touching.
- Why it is dangerous
- Uses a stout proboscis to inject digestive enzymes that cause a sharp, bee-sting-like bite if pressed against human skin.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by its large size, hairy body, tapered abdomen, and distinctly reddish-maroon leg segments.
- What to do
- Watch quietly from a safe distance and refrain from trapping or handling the insect.
Responsible observation
- Approach Slowly: These sharp-eyed predators fly away quickly when startled by abrupt motion.
- Look at Perches: Search the tips of tall weeds, fence wires, or dead twigs in bright sunlight.
- Avoid Handling: Never pinch or cup this insect, as its defensive bite is very painful.
Competitor (c) Dan MacNeal, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dan MacNeal · cc-by
Close Relative (c) hr_dragonfly, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by hr_dragonfly · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Judy Gallagher · cc-by-sa
Family Member (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.