Do Purple Martins Eat Flies

A: According to experts, purple martins eat only flying insects, and they take them only on the wing, not off the ground. Martins eat beetles, flies, dragonflies, mayflies, bees, stink bugs, cicadas, flying ants, damselflies, butterflies, moths, grasshoppers and wasps.

What insects do purple martins eat?

Feeds on a wide variety of flying insects, including many wasps and winged ants, and some bees; also many true bugs, flies (including house flies and crane flies), beetles, moths, and butterflies. Dragonflies may be an important part of diet. Also eats some spiders.

Do purple martins eat black flies?

Purple martins are insect eaters and consume large quantities daily. The favored foods include all types of flying insects, including beetles, winged ants, flies, dragonflies, grasshoppers, crickets, moths, wasps, bees, cicadas, termites and mayflies.