Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Bombylius laying eggs
Posted by javig on 25-03-2008 20:57
#1
Granada, march 2008, 1400 m.
There were many females planting eggs in the soil, in fly with abrupt movements, but I can't see any bee holes
also, what is this thing they have in the back? the sand for the eggs?
thanks!
Edited by javig on 26-03-2008 19:58
Posted by David Gibbs on 26-03-2008 18:50
#2
i see no photos
as far as i know
Bombylius do not 'plant' their eggs but flick them towards potential bee-holes while in flight.
what you have probably observed is females collecting dust with which they coat their eggs before flicking them.
Posted by Kahis on 26-03-2008 19:02
#3
I saw the photos yesterday - for some reason they don't load today. They show females hovering over bare soil. Very good pics, especially considering how difficult it is to shoot flying insects in the field.
Posted by javig on 26-03-2008 19:55
#4
David: sorry, seems a problem of imageshack... about the 'planting eggs', yes, it's as you say, my english is very limited
Kahis: thanks
I will attempt to upload the photos to flickr and edit the post...
Edited by javig on 26-03-2008 19:56
Posted by javig on 26-03-2008 20:00
#5
Done, I hope that show photos correctly now
Posted by javig on 27-03-2008 00:35
#6
May be
Bombylius discolor?
Posted by David Gibbs on 27-03-2008 10:22
#7
OK i see now, yes they are egg flicking, the first picture shows the dust chamber everted as it is when picking up dust from the ground. not sure why it should be everted during egg laying, perhaps you have caught the process of discharging an egg which is too quick to see normally.
i agree that they are
B. discolor.
Posted by javig on 28-03-2008 18:48
#8
Thanks David :)