Philonicus albiceps explained

Philonicus albiceps is a species of 'robber fly' belonging to the family Asilidae. It is a Palearctic species with a limited distribution in Europe ^[1]

Description

Philonicus albiceps is light yellowish grey, often with darker markings. The legs are black. It has a scutellum with two pale marginal bristles and an ovipositor with a circlet of short spines".^{[2] [3]}

Biology

The habitat is coastal sand dunes, sitting on bare sand among marram (more rarely at sandy places inland). Prey species include other dipteran species, including smaller asilids, Hymenoptera and Odonata.^[4]

Notes and References

1. [Fauna Europaea]
2. Book: Oldroyd . Harold . Diptera Brachycera. (a), Tabanoidea and Asiloidea . 1969 . Royal Entomological Society of London . London . 090154602X.
3. Book: Verrall . George Henry . Statiomyidae and succeeding families of the Diptera Brachycera of Great Britain / by G. H. Verrall; drawings of J. E. Collin. . 1909 . Gurney & Jackson . London .
4. Hobby, B.M., 1930 The British species of Asilidae (Diptera) and their prey. Trans. Entomol. Soc. of South England. No. 6. pp. 1-42.