The Robber Flies (Diptera: Asilidae) of Virginia USA

. The most common member of the genus in Virginia in my experience. Rather like Neoitamus in that it perches horizontally on twigs and small branches, and is about the same size.

. Only a few records for Virginia spanning 6 July -25 September. Norm Lavers says that in Arkanasas it is a late season asilid, and its habitat is shady, wet woods. Perhaps I have not seen it as I haven't looked in what seems very unasilid-like habitqat.

. This seems to be species of the western part of the state, especially at higher elevations. My specimens are from riparian vegetation.

. A more northern species, perhaps reaching its southern limit in northern Virginia. Museum specimens are from Fairfax County only.

. In Virginia, this species is fairly common and widespread. My most frequently encountered Machimus after aestuans.

. One of our most common and widespread robber flies. Occurs from mid-May into August.

. A small Machimus with entirely black legs. I don't see these much in the field, but malaise traps run by Arthur Evans capture these in good numbers.

. A little known species. There are two specimens from Virginia at the NMNH.

. Not many records, but they are scattered around the state, and from late May into October.

. A large species that is fairly common and widespread, primarily in August. P. rufipes can be seen perched fairly high up in trees (10 -20 ft.) for an asilid. But perhaps other species perch up high too, and just go unnoticed due to small size. The black femora contrasting with the yellow tibia make identification fairly straightforward.

. There are records for only three counties in VA; Alleghany, Fairfax, and Nelson. My records in Alleghany County were from an old unmowed field.

. The largest robber fly in Virginia. Few records, but found mostly in the southeastern part of the state.

. A riparian species found on streambed rocks, riparian vegetation, and sand and gravel bars. A mid-summer species found after Lasiopogon is done for the year.

. The smallest member of the genus in Virginia, but still needs to be identified by magnification. I can't distinguish the different species in the field, even though the genus can easily be recognized by the feathery antennae. Fairly common.

. A fairly common species in the western portion of the state in similar habitats as its congener.

. A southern species found in Virginia only in the southeast. There are only two records for the state, both from Virginia Beach, and from late summer.