Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Birth of a Medetera

Posted by Kahis on 22-05-2006 16:42
#1

Hi.

Yesterday I brought some Medetera cocoons in to be photographed:
www.elisanet.fi/jere.kahanpaa/diptera/medetera_pupa_1.jpg

Note the long horns or breathing tubes typical for dolichopodid cocoons, and a single 'tooth' of the head for ripping through the flimsy cocoon these flies make. I put my camera down, refocused and saw some movement, weird ripples flowing through the pupa. Holy ... it's hatching! I barely had time to grab the camera and take some pics before the fly was out and running lightning-fast all over the microscope :) The total time from first strong contractions to the fly running free must have been less than 20 seconds:o

www.elisanet.fi/jere.kahanpaa/diptera/medetera_pupa_2.jpg

I suspect the fly is Medetera pinicola but this awaits confirmation. Unfortunately I lost the pupal skin in the excitement :(

Edited by Kahis on 23-05-2006 22:20

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 22-05-2006 17:53
#2

Cool!

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 01-09-2007 22:44
#3

cool? spectacular! :D