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 Toxomerus ? Scratching His Back
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| Stephen |
Posted on 04-08-2006 20:14
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 Member Location: West Virginia USA Posts: 1322 Joined: 12.04.05 |
Toxomerus marginatus perhaps? Seems to be scratching his back, or is it cleaning its wings? Wet woodlands, West Virginia USA, 16 July 2006. ID help appreciated! Stephen attached the following image:  [61.79Kb] --Stephen Stephen Cresswell www.americaninsects.net |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 04-08-2006 22:39
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 Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7220 Joined: 19.11.04 |
I don't think anyone will argue with your identification!  Its using the hairs on its hind tibia and tarsi to wipe the surface of the wing clean. Similar hairs on the front tarsus are used to clean the eyes and antennae, so it's all in perfect working order - could mean the difference between being a successful parent or a flycatcher's breakfast. 
Edited by Tony Irwin on 04-08-2006 22:39 Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| Stephen |
Posted on 04-08-2006 23:30
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Member Location: West Virginia USA Posts: 1322 Joined: 12.04.05 |
Thanks Tony, that makes perfect sense. I see a lot of this kind of grooming with dragonflies, and flies too?not as often with, say, beetles. Guess it is part of relying so much on flight for defense while a beetle might just roll off the leaf or use its legs to run away. And of course some flies and all dragons rely on their wings for their supper.
--Stephen Stephen Cresswell www.americaninsects.net |
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