Posted by Stephen on 29-03-2006 01:04
#1
These little black beetles measured about 2.25 mm and were visiting a wildflower called Coltsfoot.
I didn't even notice until I got home and looked at the pictures, that this particular beetle had some kind of dipteran on his head.
I hope something interesting is going on here and that the fly is not just resting on the beetle! Can anyone shed any light?
I have narrowed the beetle's ID down to a few families, Nitidulidae, Phalacridae, or Dermestidae. (I have other photos of the beetles and they have clubbed antennae.)
On the fly, I don't have a clue. Any help would be appreciated! Date was 27 March 2006, location West Virginia, USA.
Edited by Stephen on 29-03-2006 01:12
Posted by totipotent on 29-03-2006 04:25
#2
Stephen,
I would have to say that the fly is a Chironomid. About the beetle, I am pretty sure it is
not a dermestid.
I arrive at Chironomidae, because it looks like a male mosquito, but it doesn't have any scales.
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I finally found some Ceratopogonid pupae today!!!
Posted by Paul Beuk on 29-03-2006 07:04
#3
The midge is a chironomid (general build and the way the long fore leg is helt) and probably 'just was there'. There is no reason for any true interaction between the beetle and the midge, but maybe the midge was trying to get to some nectar with the beetle interfering.
And I think the beetle is a
Meligethes (pollen beetle) of the family Nitidulidae.