Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
 Ochthera
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| Nikita Vikhrev |
Posted on 29-08-2006 22:51
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 Member Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 9541 Joined: 24.05.05 |
South Turkey, end May. Is it our O. mantis or there existe other possibilities in Antalia? Nikita Vikhrev attached the following image:  [49.76Kb] Nikita Vikhrev - Zool Museum of Moscow University |
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| Paul Beuk |
Posted on 30-08-2006 05:54
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 Super Administrator Location: Netherlands Posts: 19403 Joined: 11.05.04 |
There will be more...
Paul - - - - Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 30-08-2006 10:49
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 Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7338 Joined: 19.11.04 |
This is Ochthera schembrii (=mantispa) female. The only other similar species (not recorded in Turkey yet) is pilimana which has yellow bases to the mid and hind tibiae and more extensively darkened tarsi. I love this photo! 
Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| Nikita Vikhrev |
Posted on 30-08-2006 11:14
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Member Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 9541 Joined: 24.05.05 |
Thank you Tony! Nikita, very much surprised that it is female. Nikita Vikhrev - Zool Museum of Moscow University |
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| jorgemotalmeida |
Posted on 30-08-2006 11:50
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 Member Location: Viseu - PORTUGAL Posts: 9296 Joined: 05.06.06 |
Nikita Vikhrev wrote: Thank you Tony! Nikita, very much surprised that it is female. Awesome fly that mimics a praying mantis! |
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| Dmitry Gavryushin |
Posted on 30-08-2006 13:42
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 Member Location: Moscow region, Russia Posts: 3346 Joined: 17.10.05 |
Well, it's hardly Mantodea mimicry, taking into account the size  . Maybe just analogous organs?However, one type of feeding behavior not previously reported was observed in 0. mantis. In the first observation of this behavior pattern, the fly repeatedly probed the substrate with its proboscis and, after doing so extensively at one point, it excavated with its fore tibial spines a chironomid larva. The predator held the larva between the tibiae and femora of its raptorial fore legs, punctured it with its labella and began consuming it. Deonier, D. L. - Observations on Mating, Oviposition, and Food Habits of Certain Shore Flies (Diptera: Ephydridae) - The Ohio Journal of Science. v72 n1 (January, 1972), 22-29. https://kb.osu.ed...01_022.pdf |
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| Jan Willem |
Posted on 30-08-2006 14:32
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 Member Location: Waalwijk, The Netherlands Posts: 2166 Joined: 24.07.04 |
Hi Nikita, Nikita wrote: very much surprised that it is female. Why?? Looking at the tip op the abdomen I would have been surprised if Tony had told us it was a male specimen! Jan Willem |
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| Nikita Vikhrev |
Posted on 30-08-2006 18:08
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Member Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 9541 Joined: 24.05.05 |
I didn't look at abdomen, I looked at forelegs... But Dima explained me what she does with forelegs... Nikita Nikita Vikhrev - Zool Museum of Moscow University |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 30-08-2006 21:24
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Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7338 Joined: 19.11.04 |
Both male and female Ochthera use their raptorial (predatory) forelegs for catching food, in much the same way that a mantis does. (Of course there are quite a few even smaller Empididae that do the same.) If you catch a live Ochthera and put it in a tube with a small chironomid, it will often demonstrate the technique! As Jan points out, the abdomen tip looks female, but also in this genus the males often have a modified fore tarsus, with a sensory pit containing large bristles. (Not all species show this, so it is best to rely on the abdomen shape.) Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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