Posted by sd on 21-04-2012 10:13
#1
Zambia Tabanidae
Haematopota fasciatapex
Date 26.i.11. Size 11mm
Miombo Woodland. Location: on vehicle
This large species has quite a restricted distrubution. When settled on bark the mottled colouration provides excellent camouflage. The flash of red from the abdomen when the wings are opened may deter predators in a similar way to that used by many species of moth and heteroptera.
A few individuals taken (on one occasion near a small herd of Sable antelope).
Steve