Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
 Who's this then?
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| Iolaire |
Posted on 08-09-2007 19:52
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 Member Location: Langedijk, Netherlands Posts: 192 Joined: 17.08.07 |
The sequel: this might be the same fly, but I'm not sure. Who's this then? And what the    is he (or she) doing?? Thanks again! Best regards, Iolaire |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 09-09-2007 14:55
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 Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7340 Joined: 19.11.04 |
I'm not sure what species of fly this is, but the pose is typical of a fly with a parasitic fungus infection - Entomopthora muscae is the usual name, but there may be other species involved. The fungus induces a change in the fly's behaviour, so that it dies in this pose, and the fungal spores are easily dispersed when the abdomen ruptures.
Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| Iolaire |
Posted on 09-09-2007 16:24
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Member Location: Langedijk, Netherlands Posts: 192 Joined: 17.08.07 |
Hi Tony, Thanks for the information. I've seen this fungus (or another kind) at work before (or at least the result of it's work), resulting in flies covered in a dust- or yeastlike powder and all flies were situated in shrubtops. As if they were programmed to climb to the top. Are there many different fungi like this around? And if so, has every fungus a specific host? Thanks again! Edited by Iolaire on 09-09-2007 22:09 Best regards, Iolaire |
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