Robber Fly

The first robber fly I’ve seen this season. It’s a NZ native, Neoitamus melanopogan. Their strange structure fascinates me. They catch large flying insects on the wing, which I suspect is why they have such a powerful thorax. Note the claws on the feet for gripping its prey. The yellow halteres replace a second pair of wings and are used for balance in flight. There is a dark protuberance from the lower face and the tail is bulbous. It has great eyelashes too.

Poppy of the day in extra shot. This is a tiny (20mm) one, resting its head on a blade of grass.