Robberfly in Technicolor

Although I love Robberflies in general with their bulging eyes, beard like facial hairs and ability to fly around whilst mating, they are, generally speaking, in my area in Victoria, Australia rather monotone in colour. Grey, black with a touch of red in the legs perhaps, or fully black, or black and grey with some orange on the tail.
But when I found this Robberfly near Mt Pilot (near Beechworth) it was so gorgeously colourful that I just had to get a photo.
It was extremely difficult - it hovered here and there with a quick land on the bushes of Fringe Myrtle which were in full bloom, and then up again. I was lucky to get this one. And it was everything I could see - lovely colours on the legs, abodmen, and everywhere really.
First time I've seen this species and it won't be easy to forget.

Posted on December 23, 2023 08:23 PM by