Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Cambodia. Calliphoridae

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 27-03-2014 12:24
#1

Collected by Oleg Kosterin, 29-31 May 2013, NE corner of Cambodia: Ban Lung, 13.74N 106.98E
sp 1

Edited by Nikita Vikhrev on 27-03-2014 12:45

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 27-03-2014 12:24
#2

sp 2

Posted by Paul Beuk on 27-03-2014 12:35
#3

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.

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 27-03-2014 12:49
#4

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.

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 27-03-2014 12:51
#5

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).

Posted by Oleg Kosterin on 27-03-2014 13:14
#6

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.

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 13-05-2014 07:37
#7

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