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 Structures in Tipula abdomen
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| John Bratton |
Posted on 15-10-2022 20:01
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Member Location: Menai Bridge, North Wales, UK Posts: 650 Joined: 17.10.06 |
The fly is Tipula confusa, caught 7 October 2022 at Moelyci Farm, Tregarth, North Wales. It was quite lively when I caught it, but under the microscope I saw the tip of the abdomen was missing. In the cavity were some black spheres attached by thin strands - photo. I'm wondering if these are fungi and would they be the cause of the Tipula losing its abdomen tip?
John Bratton attached the following image:  [38.99Kb] |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 16-10-2022 12:40
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 Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7232 Joined: 19.11.04 |
I would say these black spheres are spermathecae - the structures in which the female stores sperm before fertilization of the eggs. Quite why the fly should be missing its abdomen tip, I don't know.
Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| John Bratton |
Posted on 16-10-2022 17:07
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Member Location: Menai Bridge, North Wales, UK Posts: 650 Joined: 17.10.06 |
Thanks very much for the explanation. John |
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