Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Physiphora, Ulidiidae
Posted by jonrichfield on 12-03-2015 17:11
#1
A friend in Windhoek, Namibia, posted these images of a mystery fly at his UV screen. The behaviour is consistent with Micropezidae, but the rest nonplusses me badly. Of course, the semaphoring behaviour is far from limited to Micropezidae, but ...
Any suggestions please?
Edited by jonrichfield on 13-03-2015 07:45
Posted by jonrichfield on 12-03-2015 17:12
#2
A second image of the same fly:
Posted by jonrichfield on 12-03-2015 17:15
#3
And a third, more nearly lateral. The available equipment did not permit visible presentations of wing venation etc. Sorry!
Posted by Tony Irwin on 12-03-2015 18:15
#4
Looks like
Physiphora (Ulidiidae)
Posted by jonrichfield on 12-03-2015 19:11
#5
Looks spot-on to me Tony, many thanks.
Mind you, I had never realised how diverse the Ulidiidae were. One thing that struck me was the degree to which they differed in the types of visual display they presented and yet how many of them had some form of visual display.
And then I was stunned when I encountered Plagiocephalus latifrons.
Do you happen to know of a reference to the stalk-eyed flies in general? This is the fifth family I have run across in which such adaptations occur.
Posted by jonrichfield on 12-03-2015 19:13
#6
You know folks, I really must take time out to congratulate you as a group. In one way of another your batting average for my questions has been 100%.
Not to mention thanking you! :)
Posted by Nosferatumyia on 08-05-2015 22:44
#7
Physiphora violacea (Hendel).
All the necessary characters are visible: petiolate R4+5-M, shining black body with very faint blue or violet sheen. The species is apparenly associated with palms infested by weevils. Adult females are common on feces and dung.
Please submit it to the gallery.
Edited by Nosferatumyia on 08-05-2015 23:01