Posted by nick upton on 15-05-2010 22:04
#1
Are these mating dance flies Empis livida? Lots of activity today, males flying with fly prey, quickly pairing up in flight and hanging from tall grasses to mate.
Wiltshire, southwest UK. 15.5.10
Edited by nick upton on 16-05-2010 10:58
Posted by nick upton on 15-05-2010 22:12
#2
Another pair mating, maybe someone knows what kind of fly is the prey for this pair?
Posted by nick upton on 16-05-2010 10:57
#4
Many thanks Paul, the red legs made me think of E. livida, but the abdominal patterning for E. opaca does look quite distinctive now I know what to look for. Thanks, too for IDing the prey in shot 2 as a bibionid.
Edited by nick upton on 16-05-2010 11:00