Posted by Robert Heemskerk on 11-12-2006 22:09
#1
hi Flyforum,
Must be some fly-disease?, or isn't it?
And the disease takes profit by sticking the fly on the top of a leave?
So the wind can spread it's further on..(?)
Just guessing..
A picture from 8-7-2006, Amsterdam Forest
Posted by Tony Irwin on 11-12-2006 22:16
#2
Hi Robert
Yes, it's a fungus called
Entomophthora or
Empusa (probably species
muscae). It is common in muscids, scathophagids and syrphids such as
Episyrphus balteatus.
One of the effects of the fungus is to change the behaviour of the host so that it clings onto a tall grass blade (or other leaf) and sticks its abdomen in the air, so that the spores have the best chance of dispersal.
Edited by Tony Irwin on 11-12-2006 22:17