Robber fly (insectivorous horsefly)

Japanese: ムシヒキアブ(食虫虻) - ムシヒキアブ（英語表記）robber fly

A general term for insects belonging to the Diptera family, Asilidae. Adults are 4-50 mm in size, and many of them are large. They have sturdy bodies and strong flying power, and use their thick, long legs and sharp proboscis to catch other insects and spiders and suck their body fluids. The insects they prey on vary depending on the size of the species and their habitat, but larger species include cicadas, grasshoppers, and even bees. Their bodies are generally long and slender, with many bristles. The bristles on their heads protect their compound eyes and heads when catching prey.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

双翅目ムシヒキアブ科Asilidaeに属する昆虫の総称。成虫は4～50mmで，大型のアブが多い。体はがんじょうで飛翔（ひしよう）力が強く，さらに太く長い脚と鋭利な口吻（こうふん）を用いて他の昆虫やクモなどをとらえ体液を吸う。捕食する昆虫は，それぞれの種の体の大きさや生息場所によって異なるが，大型種では，セミやバッタなどのほか，ハチ類にまで及ぶ。体は一般に細長く，剛毛が多い。頭部の剛毛は，餌をとらえた際に複眼や頭部を保護する役目をする。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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