We often see the cattle egrets follow cattle/tractors to opportunistically scoop up any critter that gets flushed out. Similarly, robberflies seem to have learnt the association of mosquitoes and humans. Knowing very well that mosquitoes follow humans to get a meal of blood, the robberflies have been observed, on several occasion, indulge in an interesting behaviour. They scoop mosquitoes up and make a meal of them. I have experienced this happen literally in front of my face many a time!
It is indeed worth keeping an eye open to observe this interesting behaviour. It also important for us to appreciate the role of robberflies in the ecosystem.
Bangalore, India
October 2nd, 2023. 10:00AM
