In Spanish, the species name, luctuosa, means mournful. Perhaps this is because the wings of both males and females seem to be draped in mourning crepe. Image by Donna Bolzman
A predatory giant robber fly (Promachus vertebratus) nabs a yellow jacket (Vespula spp.) in midair. Perched on a big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii). Image by Matt Hokanson
