Northeastern Plumetop

Ommatius tibialis

They possess a mustache-like cluster of bristles on their face called a mystax, which protects their eyes from the flailing legs of struggling prey.

Scientific name: Ommatius tibialis
Taxonomy: Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Diptera › Asilidae › Ommatius
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Population trend: stable
Biome: forest
Habitat: Deciduous forest edges, sunlit clearings, and shrubby fields.
Diet: Carnivorous; feeds on flying insects including flies, bees, wasps, and small beetles.
Range: Eastern United States, Southeastern Canada
Size: 11 to 16 mm in length.
Lifespan: Approximately 1 year (primarily spent as underground larvae; adults live for a few weeks).
Active: diurnal
Threats: Widespread pesticide application and habitat loss due to urbanization.
Safe to approach?: Harmless to humans unless handled directly. If grabbed or trapped against skin, they can deliver a painful bite using their predatory proboscis. Maintain a safe distance of 1-2 feet to observe their hunting behavior. If bitten, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, apply an ice pack to reduce swelling, and seek medical attention if signs of an allergic reaction develop.

Ommatius tibialis is a species of robber flies in the family Asilidae.

Photo: Bill Keim, CC-BY, via iNaturalist