Robber fly (likely a bearded robber fly)

Open, sunny habitats such as roadsides, grasslands, woodland edges, and scrub. Adults often perch on bare ground, rocks, or vegetation.

Adults are aerial predators that seize flies, bees, wasps, beetles, and other insects in flight, then inject saliva that immobilizes and digests prey.

Fast, agile hunters that repeatedly launch from exposed perches and return after capturing prey. Larvae develop in soil or decaying wood and prey on other insect larvae.

Generally harmless to people, though handling can result in a painful defensive bite. They are beneficial natural predators that help regulate insect populations.