Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
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 Ceratopogonidae
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| Sundew |
Posted on 27-03-2009 00:06
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 Member Location: Berlin and Baden-Württemberg, Germany Posts: 3917 Joined: 28.07.07 |
Hi, In my garden there are tiny flies, probably Ceratopogonids, that attack beetles (here they are after an Oedemerid). Some time ago I had a similar thread, but these flies look a bit different. I suppose a genus guess is impossible? Thanks, Sundew Sundew attached the following image:  [116.54Kb] |
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| romunov |
Posted on 27-03-2009 09:49
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Member Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Posts: 52 Joined: 13.02.09 |
Can you describe the attack in more detail? |
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| xylo |
Posted on 27-03-2009 11:24
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 Member Location: Posts: 139 Joined: 21.08.04 |
Hi all, I would guess that the ceratopogonids were attracted by the cantharidin of the oedermerid..... this would explain the "attack"..... they just trying to get some of the bettle haemolymph to incorporate the compound for own defense.... species of Atrichopogon are such canthariphilous critters.... but I am not familiar enough with this family to id the specimens on your photos.... so long, xylo |
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| Sundew |
Posted on 27-03-2009 11:27
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Member Location: Berlin and Baden-Württemberg, Germany Posts: 3917 Joined: 28.07.07 |
Well, Ceratopogonids suck haemolymph of other insects (compare http://www.dipter...ad_id=8720), and their victims "know" that and try to escape. I watched a beetle getting panic when being surrounded by the flies. It kicked and hopped and then flew away. The flies did not follow. No one is too small to have a parasite of its own! Regards, Sundew |
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| Sundew |
Posted on 27-03-2009 11:34
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Member Location: Berlin and Baden-Württemberg, Germany Posts: 3917 Joined: 28.07.07 |
Hi Xylo, our replies crossed! Getting Cantharidine for defense is an interesting point of view and quite convincing. However, the flies suck also on the veins of dragonfly wings, so it is a matter of pure feeding, too, I think. Is it comparable to mosquitoes, that females need protein food to produce eggs and otherwise live from nectar? I don't know... |
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| romunov |
Posted on 28-03-2009 18:46
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Member Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Posts: 52 Joined: 13.02.09 |
Very interesting. Thanks! |
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