This medium-sized robber fly is approximately 1 inch (25 mm) in length. It is reddish in color and is long-legged. The abdomen is constricted below the 2nd and 3rd segments. The top of the thorax has 3 prominent black stripes which contrast with a light background. The abdomen lacks black or brown stripes which most other members of the genus have.
This is a fairly common robber fly seen most often at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods in August. They are usually perched close to the ground on vegetation.
The genus Diogmites is known as “Hanging Thieves” for their habit of hanging by 1 or 2 forelegs from vegetation while eating their prey. They feed on bees, wasps and smaller robberflies. There are about 26 species in this genus in North America.
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