Diptera.info - Discussion Forum: Cambodia. Calliphoridae

Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)

Who is here? 1 guest(s)

Cambodia. Calliphoridae
Nikita Vikhrev	#1 Posted on 27-03-2014 12:24
Member Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 9223 Joined: 24.05.05	Collected by Oleg Kosterin, 29-31 May 2013, NE corner of Cambodia: Ban Lung, 13.74N 106.98E sp 1 Nikita Vikhrev attached the following image: [102.84Kb] Edited by Nikita Vikhrev on 27-03-2014 12:45 Nikita Vikhrev - Zool Museum of Moscow University


Nikita Vikhrev	#2 Posted on 27-03-2014 12:24
Member Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 9223 Joined: 24.05.05	sp 2 Nikita Vikhrev attached the following image: [112.75Kb] Nikita Vikhrev - Zool Museum of Moscow University


Paul Beuk	#3 Posted on 27-03-2014 12:35
Super Administrator Location: Netherlands Posts: 19229 Joined: 11.05.04	Might be worth your while to start exploring in the direction of Bengalia and relatives. The ones I have seen so far have the 'short' head and that kind of angle to the bend in the media. Paul - - - - Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info


Nikita Vikhrev	#4 Posted on 27-03-2014 12:49
Member Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 9223 Joined: 24.05.05	Paul, I also thought about Bengalia. But the main aim because we (Oleg Kosterin and me) decided to post these flies (and 2 in 1 thread against the rule) is the observation of interesting bahaviour of flies. Nikita Vikhrev - Zool Museum of Moscow University


Nikita Vikhrev	#5 Posted on 27-03-2014 12:51
Member Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 9223 Joined: 24.05.05	Oleg Kosterin's description of mentioned observation: In the town of Ban Lung, Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia, on June 1, 2013 there was a strong downpoor at about 1700-1730 hr, during which several large flies were observed flying very fast in a very loose aggregate at a mango tree and a roof of a two-floor building. They disappeared when the dorwpoor stopped. In twilight at about 1800 hr I observed many large flies resting on leaves of a certain small bush in a garden. The rain just resumed and numerous winged thermites got into the air from under that bush, for the thermites fly while raining. The flies start flying under the rain as well. To my surprise, they flew to hunt for thermites: a fly captured a flying tрermite, returned to the bush and started to suck it with its proboscis. The thermites were smaller than the flies and very soft, most probably they were damaged while being grasped by flies so offering them an opportunity to suck their interiores. The flies collected at that occasion appeared to be Bengalia spp., represented exclusively by males. Noteworthy that there were some smaller flies at that bush, perhaps from other genera, which probably did the same. It was difficult to say if the large flies flying at the tree and roof during strong downpoor were just swarmed males or they expected to catch thermites as well (absent at that moment). Nikita Vikhrev - Zool Museum of Moscow University


Oleg Kosterin	#6 Posted on 27-03-2014 13:14
Member Location: Posts: 5 Joined: 26.03.08	I was quite facinated observed this targeted carnivorous behavior, as usually in 'common' flies without any obvious 'carnivorous' structure, just catching with legs and sucking. I am very curious if this is common for Belgalia or at leas if this was observed before and reflected in literature.


Nikita Vikhrev	#7 Posted on 13-05-2014 07:37
Member Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 9223 Joined: 24.05.05	I've got reply from Knut Rognes: I have never heard or read about such a behaviour on the part of a Bengalia species, although it is definitely a Bengalia. It has always been assumed that Bengalia species –with its often spiny fore legs and strong proboscis might hunt for termites. Perhaps this behaviour of hunting newly emerged / swarming / termites is normal, but only very rarely observed. Perhaps because the swarming of the termites is rare. I'll send specimens to Dr. Rognes for identification Edited by Nikita Vikhrev on 13-05-2014 07:37 Nikita Vikhrev - Zool Museum of Moscow University