Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Is this a Diptera?

Posted by javig on 22-06-2008 11:50
#1
Sorry for the bad photo... These little insects are common on the wings of butterflies. Are parasites? Are flies?

img49.imageshack.us/img49/9601/20080608dsc2125pl5.jpg

Thanks!

Posted by Paul Beuk on 22-06-2008 17:04
#2
Ceratopogonidae. Some parasitise on other insects.

Posted by javig on 22-06-2008 18:24
#3
Thanks Paul.

Why are they always on the wings? There is not much to eat in the wings ...

Posted by Sundew on 23-06-2008 00:04
#4
Some attach to dragonfly wings and suck haemolymph from the wing veins. Butterfly wings have many veins, too, so the behaviour of the midges might be similar.
Regards, Sundew