Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
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 Fly meets tree
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| Robert Heemskerk |
Posted on 11-12-2006 22:09
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 Member Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Posts: 2082 Joined: 17.10.05 |
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 Robert Heemskerk attached the following image:  [121.64Kb] |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 11-12-2006 22:16
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 Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7286 Joined: 19.11.04 |
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 Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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