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This fly, which I think is a dance or robber fly, was taken in the middle of the day in April, south of Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory of Australia (ie arid desert country). It was about 15mm. I was extremely lucky to get this shot, as there was a strong wind blowing and the fly was hunting. Indeed, it took the opportunity to catch a bush fly (a small muscid) that landed on my camera lens. It then hung from one leg and consumed its catch. I took about 10 photos with my little Olympus compact, but this is the only one that is even close to being in focus.

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This picture is to give you an idea of the habitat it was found in. The fly was photographed in the Acacia sp bushes on top of the higher ground in the background. This is in fact a creek bed. The whole place was buzzing with life, as there was permanent water, so dozens of budgerigars (which are native to Australia) and hundreds of zebra finches.

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Hi Susan,

Looks like Asilidae to me!

Jan Willem

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I know - it does to me too. The minute I had posted it I thought Empididae was a mistake. Just having some sort of brainstorm at the time I guess.

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Hi Susan,

This is indeed an Asilidae; genus is probably Chrysopogon. Bet you had fun on your Australian venture!

Eric

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Thanks Eric. I see there are lots of Chrysopogon spp listed for Australia, and several of them in the Northern Territory.

I did indeed have fun. I was travelling with my father, who knows and loves the Northern Territory well. Although it was a holiday we were also surveying for wedgetailed eagles (I was there to press the button on the GPS).