Cyrtopogon lateralis
Local name: Hvidbåndet rovflue
Hvidbåndet rovflue (Cyrtopogon lateralis) is a distinctive robber fly characterized by prominent white bands across its dark body and powerful predatory capabilities. This aerial hunter plays a crucial ecological role as an apex invertebrate predator, capturing other flying insects including bees, wasps, and flies with remarkable precision and speed.
19
Countries
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Diptera
Family
Asilidae
Genus
Cyrtopogon
Cyrtopogon lateralis belongs to the family Asilidae, order Diptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Hvidbåndet rovflue (Cyrtopogon lateralis) is a distinctive robber fly characterized by prominent white bands across its dark body and powerful predatory capabilities. This aerial hunter plays a crucial ecological role as an apex invertebrate predator, capturing other flying insects including bees, wasps, and flies with remarkable precision and speed.
Cyrtopogon lateralis, the white-banded robber fly, faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized sandy coastal and heathland environments. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in land management practices have significantly reduced the availability of suitable breeding and foraging habitats. Climate change may further threaten this species by altering the microclimatic conditions it requires.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Cyrtopogon lateralis inhabits sun-exposed sandy heathlands, coastal dunes, and open woodland edges with sparse vegetation where it can effectively hunt from prominent perches. The species requires areas with bare ground patches for territorial displays and specific microclimatic conditions found in these transitional ecosystems.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Cyrtopogon lateralis, the white-banded robber fly, faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized sandy coastal and heathland environments. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in land management practices have significantly reduced the availability of suitable breeding and foraging habitats. Climate change may further threaten this species by altering the microclimatic conditions it requires.
Agricultural intensification
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Changes in land management practices
Climate change impacts on microhabitat conditions
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Found in 19 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Cyrtopogon lateralis (Cyrtopogon lateralis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/hvidbandet-rovflue