Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
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 Tachinid ID from the kanuku mountains Guyana
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| pbertner |
Posted on 24-10-2010 02:41
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Member Location: Posts: 121 Joined: 01.07.10 |
Found this scene as we were walking out of the Kanuku mountains back to Lethem. Our guide found a group of 3 of these bright aposematic hawkmoth caterpillars. I began snapping away obliviously when Artour spotted the tachinid fly circling around this hawkmoth caterpillar. It was very persistent, even when we accidentally knocked the leaf, it would fly away, and then return. Notice the extremely elongated tail of the caterpillar. In this species the tail appears to serve a defensive function. As the fly landed close to the rear the caterpillar would flick its tail dislodging the fly from ovipositing its eggs. The fly undeterred walked up the body until it was close to the head and out of range of the tail where it began to lay eggs. It seemed to prefer the posterior end of the caterpillar for some reason as it kept on trying to move back there, perhaps laying too close to the front might kill the caterpillar faster and thereby not leave enough time for the larvae to mature, whereas the rear of the caterpillar may not house such vital organs to be destroyed by the larvae. The long orange ovipositor of the fly can be seen quite clearly as well. Kanuku mountains, Guyana.          Any id(eas) on the caterpillar or tachinid would be very appreciated! Hope you guys enjoy in any case. Paul Portfolio - https://rainfores...ugmug.com/ http://www.flickr...37609@N08/ blog photo companion http://pbertner.w... |
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| Roger Thomason |
Posted on 24-10-2010 04:37
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 Member Location: Mossbank,Shetland Isles. Posts: 5269 Joined: 17.07.08 |
Afraid Chris posted this same one a couple of days ago Paul along with a link to your blog ( great blog by the way)...and pics! http://www.dipter...d_id=33992 I'm only the messenger up at an ungodly time of night...shoot Chris, OR...Still got that Machete? Tip-toeing out the back door...Roger Edited by Roger Thomason on 24-10-2010 04:43 |
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| Dmitry Gavryushin |
Posted on 24-10-2010 06:58
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 Member Location: Moscow region, Russia Posts: 3346 Joined: 17.10.05 |
The caterpillar is Isognathus sp. (Macroglossinae, Dilophonotini), similar to very wide-spread Pseudosphinx tetrio. Larvae of Isognathus are also hosts of Winthemia spp. (along with sarcophagids Sarcodexia). An article on South American Winthemia is here: http://www.scielo...6n2a14.pdf
Edited by Dmitry Gavryushin on 24-10-2010 07:01 While others can't climb, using infinite pains, I, gravity turning to jest, Ascend, with all ease, perpendicular planes, Rough or smooth, just as pleases me best. |
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| rvanderweele |
Posted on 24-10-2010 08:25
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Member Location: Leiden, the Netherlands Posts: 1988 Joined: 01.11.06 |
A fascinating series of photo's!
ruud van der weele rvanderweele@gmail.com |
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| ChrisR |
Posted on 24-10-2010 10:28
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 Super Administrator Location: Reading, England Posts: 7706 Joined: 12.07.04 |
Hi Paul - don't worry, I have been "bigging you up" all over the internet so I posted a few of these earlier  I am waiting for Monty Wood to get back from Washington, where he is photographing types and working on the collection. When he gets back I will show him the photos but I agree with Dima that it looks like Winthemiini ... but I don't think it is actually Winthemia  I have been proven wrong in the past though - many times
Manager of the UK Species Inventory in the Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity at the Natural History Museum, London. |
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| jorgemotalmeida |
Posted on 24-10-2010 12:33
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 Member Location: Viseu - PORTUGAL Posts: 9296 Joined: 05.06.06 |
spectacular series of photos. Winthemiini by sure. I agree with Chris. |
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