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The Robberfly - apex predator of the insect world
1st PlaceThe Robberfly - apex predator of the insect world
roz


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Bokeh XIV (Standard Editing)
Collection: 2026 CHALLENGES ETC
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Lens: OM System 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO M.Zuiko Digital ED
Date: Mar 1, 2026
Aperture: 3.5
ISO: 250
Shutter: 1/100
Galleries: Macro, Insects, etc
Date Uploaded: Mar 3, 2026

 not that happy with this because of a couple of oof focus bits .. but its nearly a year since i've photographed any insects so i'm a bit out of practice .. :)


About the Robberfly ..
The Robberfly (family Asilidae) is widely considered one of the top apex predators in the insect world, often described as an "aerial assassin". They are highly aggressive, hunting in mid-air to catch prey—including bees, wasps, and other insects—which they then paralyze with venom and liquefy with digestive enzymes.

Why Robberflies are Apex Predators:
Unmatched Hunting Prowess: They are known as "sky pirates" or F-22s of the insect world, using incredible speed and agility to ambush prey mid-flight.

Venomous & Efficient: They use a rigid, sharp proboscis to inject paralyzing neurotoxins and enzymes that liquefy their prey's insides for consumption.

Aggressive Diet: They do not hesitate to attack insects larger than themselves, including other, smaller robber flies.

Specialized Anatomy: Their legs are strong and bristly for gripping prey, and they have a "mystax"—a dense mustache of hairs—that protects their eyes from struggling victims.

While they share the title of top aerial predator with dragonflies, robberflies are considered among the most efficient and feared, frequently hunting other predators.

after rollover ...
was an INCREDIBLE ride ..
this result is way better than anything i could have imagined ..
at one point it looked like a PB ..

thankyou so much everyone who voted and commented .. xx

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 27
Avg (all users): 7.5385
Avg (participants): 7.3333
Avg (non-participants): 7.7143
Views since voting: 283
Views during voting: 71
Votes: 39
Comments: 6
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
 03/12/2026 08:52:07 AM
I love that shade of green. The detail is stunning. Made me miss my E-M1 Mark 1. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 03/11/2026 09:55:34 AM
Congratulations! superb photography, so focused and the coloration is beautiful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM
 03/11/2026 07:10:31 AM
Sorry, repeat!

Message edited by author 2026-03-11 07:11:29.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM
 03/11/2026 07:10:09 AM
Glad to see you are shooting those amazing insect shots again Roz! Well done. Congrats on the Blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Canon EOS M200
Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
 03/06/2026 05:07:28 PM
Gorgeous. How we've missed these immaculate macros around here lately. :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 03/04/2026 10:55:06 PM
Amazing! My top pick so far.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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