Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Dilophus febrilis?
Posted by Sundew on 06-02-2008 22:52
#1
Hello,
Blossom of
Echinocystis lobata (Cucurbitaceae) attracts many small insects. I watched lots of bibionids, females more than males, that fed on the flowers. When the flowers withered within a week after my arrival, the ground was covered with dead flies. I suppose them to be
Dilophus febrilis.
Locality is the Island of Usedom in August.
Echinocystis is, however, a frequently grown ornamental climber, nothing special for that region.
Regards, Sundew
Here is the female.
Edited by Sundew on 06-02-2008 23:09
Posted by Sundew on 06-02-2008 22:53
#2
Here comes the male.
Posted by Paul Beuk on 07-02-2008 11:53
#3
The female is
Dilophus febrilis (the only species you might expect with darkened wings) and if the male belongs to the same species, well, then you know the answer. ;)
Edited by Paul Beuk on 07-02-2008 12:06
Posted by Andre on 07-02-2008 11:53
#4
Your guess seems correct.
Posted by Sundew on 07-02-2008 15:46
#5
Well, the male said he had no choice, there were no other Bibionid girls on that
Echinocystis hedge :D! I only know that
Dilophus febrilis males have colourless wings and hairy eyes (which fits my pics), and that the two sexes that crowded the inflorescences would give nice couples, even if I did not see mating. So I postulate it's the same species.
Thanks to the helpful team of the Netherlands!
Sundew
Posted by cthirion on 07-02-2008 16:52
#6
Oups!
http://www.ethnoplants.com/culture%20de%20l'Echinocystis%20lobata.html:o
Posted by Sundew on 07-02-2008 17:34
#7
Where is the problem? In Germany, the annual Prickly Cucumber is a popular ornamental climber because of its rich blossom and the funny fruits. It is poisonous like other members of the Cucurbitaceae family, e.g., the two species of
Bryonia that are native to Germany. There are, however, lots of poisonous ornamental plants; they are not dangerous but lovely to those who know how to treat them the right way! (The insects certainly belong to these folks...)
Cordially, Sundew