Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Swarm of Tachinidae
Posted by Rui Andrade on 01-07-2010 22:59
#1
Last Wednesday I found several tachinds swarming near a tree. It's the first time I see such behaviour in Tachinidae. Does anyone know the species and the reason for this behaviour?
location: Porto, Portugal
date: 30/06/2010
Posted by Rui Andrade on 01-07-2010 22:59
#2
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Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 01-07-2010 23:04
#4
I told you this afternoon that this could be a P. montivaga.
Posted by Rui Andrade on 01-07-2010 23:11
#5
To me the arista doesn't seem to match that species.
Posted by ChrisR on 02-07-2010 09:48
#6
P. montivaga is possible but it would be nice to see the wing venation better, with less flash-reflection. In particular I'd like to see the scutellars and also whether any wing veins have hairs. :)
Edited by ChrisR on 02-07-2010 09:48
Posted by Rui Andrade on 02-07-2010 10:08
#7
Thanks Chris.
Below you can find more photos. They are not very good, but I hope they will be good enough to reach a conclusion.
Posted by Rui Andrade on 02-07-2010 10:08
#8
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Posted by Rui Andrade on 02-07-2010 10:09
#9
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Posted by ChrisR on 02-07-2010 12:47
#10
Hmm, doesn't look siphoniine to me (so not
Actia or
Peribaea etc) ... I think Jorge could be right with
Paracraspedothrix but let's wait for Theo just in case you have some other alternatives down there :) Or just catch and send me a few and I'll tell you exactly what it is! ;)
Posted by Rui Andrade on 02-07-2010 22:57
#11
I've collected some specimens and I'll send them to you. But maybe only in August.:)
Posted by Liekele Sijstermans on 03-07-2010 00:39
#12
I think this is Eloceria delecta.
According to Theo in previous track this species does not have palps. You could check that easily.
I have seen swarming of Tachinidae before with Siphona and Clausicella. According to Andersen (1982) there is swarming of males in order to facilitate quick fertilization of female.
Liekele
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 03-07-2010 09:26
#13
Great find!
Apanha muitas dessas! ;)
Edited by jorgemotalmeida on 03-07-2010 09:27
Posted by ChrisR on 03-07-2010 09:30
#14
Liekele Sijstermans wrote:
I think this is Eloceria delecta.
Interesting thought ... the
Eloceria delecta I have seen here seem to be a bit bigger than the images but if Rui sends me some then I'll let you know :)
Posted by Zeegers on 03-07-2010 10:50
#15
Very interesting. Wing venation is very characteristic here, need to check my collection.
Presence of palpus is sexual dimorph in Eloceria. If this would be Eloceria, it would be a female. Which would be strange, given the swarming behaviour.
Swarming is known from males Siphona ingerae and male Entomophaga. Clearly, both don't fit here.
Theo
Posted by Zeegers on 03-07-2010 15:58
#16
I'd say Eloceria delecta is an excellent suggestion.
In which, by the way, the lack of palpus is NOT sexual dimorph. My mistake
Theo
Posted by Rui Andrade on 13-07-2010 01:12
#17
Thank you all very much!! Chris, I'll send them to you, just wait a little bit.;)
Posted by ChrisR on 13-07-2010 09:32
#18
Thanks :D
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 14-07-2010 20:04
#19
Yesterday I was in Caramulo mountain... and I think I also saw the swarm of Eloceria. Is it right?
Edited by jorgemotalmeida on 14-07-2010 20:17