Smeringotus sp. Assassin flies are aggressive, visual predators that perch on vegetation and rocks to look for insects flying by. Once an assassin fly spots its prey, it follows and attacks it in flight by grabbing the insect with its legs, biting it on its back or side, and injecting it with venomous saliva. The venomous saliva kills the insect almost instantly. The assassin fly is able to hold on with strong, bristly legs that form a basket to carry its prey to a perching site where the fly can eat at its leisure. The saliva not only kills the insect, it liquefies its insides too, which the fly sucks up through its mouthparts. Once itââ¬â¢s done eating, the fly leaves the empty carcass behind and starts looking again for more prey. They are the third most diverse group of flies, with more than seven thousand species already identified and countless others yet to be discovered. FingerLakes NYS
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