Daintree Rainforest Insects
photographed at Thylogale
by David & Diane Armbrust

Robberfly
Colepia lanata

The Robberfly is found in rainforest on Cape York to Mission Beach in the south. They are a predator of other insects which they often capture on the wing. Once captured they inject their prey with a powerful saliva that liquefies the body contents allowing it to be sucked out with the proboscis. Care should be taken handling the Robberfly as the can inflict a painful bite.