Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Tabanidae, Pagoniinae ID please
Posted by KateL on 22-10-2012 19:40
#1
This fly was in dry scrubby habitat at the Colca Canyon, Peru on 25th Sept 2012.
We think it's a beefly, but any further ID would be gratefully received. Thanks.
(Edit: well I got that wrong!)
Edited by KateL on 23-10-2012 09:38
Posted by KateL on 22-10-2012 19:41
#2
Here's another photo giving a better impression of the relative length of the proboscis:
Posted by sd on 22-10-2012 20:17
#3
This is a horsefly, Tabanidae, subfamily Pangoniinae (which have a long proboscis, causing confusion with Bombyliidae)
Steve
Posted by KateL on 22-10-2012 22:12
#4
Thanks, that's very helpful. We'd considered that it might be a horsefly, but a friend thought that the wavy parallel radial veins made it a beefly.
I don't know what the etiquette is here about off-topic questions - am I allowed to ask what it does with that probsocis? Is it just a nectar feeder or does it bite like the horseflies I'm more familar with?
Edited by KateL on 22-10-2012 22:13
Posted by John Carr on 23-10-2012 01:40
#5
A Pangoninae in Central America with that wing would be
Scione but I have no information about Peruvian Tabanidae. At least some species in the genus bite.
Posted by sd on 23-10-2012 19:51
#6
Yes, those that bite then hover to suck up the blood!
Steve
Posted by KateL on 23-10-2012 20:24
#7
That's amazing!
Do the blood feeders also feed on nectar? Is it likely that a species with such a long proboscis as this one is a blood feeder? Do the relatively long hind legs give any clues on the flies feeding behaviour?
Thanks! Kate
Posted by Zeegers on 27-10-2012 10:28
#8
Kate,
Start collecting and I can help you out
If you did: give me a PM.
Greetings
Theo