While most of us are aware that the summer of 2024–2025 has produced an unusually high number of Cicadas on the Central Coast, the fact that robber flies have also appeared in good numbers this season is worth celebrating.
Robber flies, sometimes called assassin flies, are formidable aerial predators. They perch, watch, and ambush other insects mid-flight. A healthy population is a sign of a balanced ecosystem with plenty of prey to go around.
Keep an eye out for them basking on fence posts and dead branches around the village. Their bristly faces and powerful legs make them unmistakable once you know what to look for.