Belongs to: flies

Hornet robber fly Asilus crabroniformis

A large fearsome-looking fly that is becoming very scarce: a national priority species

Habitat: grazed pastures on well-drained soils

Found throughout Wales and southern England, including Essex, but declining throughout its rangs

Bristly looking flies with a long, bright yellow abdomen

Dart out from a resting position to catch other insects, including grasshoppers, beetles and flies

Adult females lay their eggs on and around animal dung

The grubs enter the soil on hatching and feed on small animals within the dung, such as dung beetle larvae