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 Ephydridae on Amietia? Resembles Hydrellia? Ideas on biology?
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| jonrichfield |
Posted on 21-11-2015 11:56
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 Member Location: Somerset West South Africa Posts: 87 Joined: 04.09.14 |
Hello, a friend took the photo of what looked to me like a biting midge on a Cape river frog in the wild at Kleinmond in South Africa in spring this year. Google Earth location about -34.34, 19.00. I assumed that it was Ceratopogonidae, of which we have plenty of local spp as far as I know. Whether this specimen has its mouthparts extended,or whether I just imagined that I saw a proboscis touching the frog, I don't know, but in either case I clearly was wrong and Stephane Lebrun kindly assisted me as he has done in the past. Stephane's diagnosis is Ephydridae cf Hydrellia or a similar genus. This leaves me wondering about its biology, and whether it is a common visitor to frogs, or whether this observation is strictly adventitious. Comments welcome, as always. Jon jonrichfield attached the following image:  [146.23Kb] Edited by jonrichfield on 21-11-2015 17:02 Scientists often display a human failing: whenever they get hold of some new bit of truth, they decide it is the whole truth. GG Simpson |
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| Stephane Lebrun |
Posted on 21-11-2015 12:04
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 Member Location: Le Havre, France Posts: 8248 Joined: 03.03.07 |
Hello John, this is an Ephydridae (Hydrellia or close).
Stephane. |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 21-11-2015 17:00
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 Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7062 Joined: 19.11.04 |
Ephydridae, yes, but I don't think this is Hydrellia. The head shape is more like Ephydrinae, but after that, I'm a bit out of my depth with Afrotropical species.
Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| jonrichfield |
Posted on 21-11-2015 17:58
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Member Location: Somerset West South Africa Posts: 87 Joined: 04.09.14 |
Thank you Tony. I am intrigued by this observation and will ask my friend to try for more shots of his frogs. It is very likely a totally adventitious observation, but you never know! 
Scientists often display a human failing: whenever they get hold of some new bit of truth, they decide it is the whole truth. GG Simpson |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 22-11-2015 00:59
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Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7062 Joined: 19.11.04 |
Yes, I think in this case the fly considers the frog to be furniture or landscape!
Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| jonrichfield |
Posted on 23-11-2015 20:10
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Member Location: Somerset West South Africa Posts: 87 Joined: 04.09.14 |
Thanks Tony  I have since seen another photo of the same fly, and it was clear that the apparent proboscis was just a bit of shadow split by the left front leg. That settles that. However, I will try to see whether I can visit the spot and see any signs of frequent fly activity about the frogs. It might be a challenging task though. becuse I know that species of frog, and they have nasty suspicious minds and prefer deepish water. Scientists often display a human failing: whenever they get hold of some new bit of truth, they decide it is the whole truth. GG Simpson |
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