Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Oestrus ovis?
Posted by Smoggycb on 25-09-2008 14:34
#1
Today on a white-washed cottage near grazing marsh (lots of sheep!) near Rye, East Sussex. We have had
O. ovis several times here over the last few years, but this one is later and looks slightly different, hence the posting here!
Edited by Smoggycb on 25-09-2008 14:56
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 25-09-2008 16:23
#2
wowzers!!! what an AMAZING fly! truly spectacular! :( in the past they were very common but now they are much rarer. :(
it seems an emegerd Oestrus..
Posted by Zeegers on 25-09-2008 20:59
#3
It is Oestrus ovis, it might be a female (maybe that is why is looks slightly different).
IN Southern Europe there are other species (Oestrus and Rhinoestrus), not in Britain.
Theo
Posted by Smoggycb on 27-09-2008 18:02
#4
Thanks Theo, I thought it was but it's always good to check. This is the first oestrid I have seen in the flesh, and it is certainly a spectacular fly. All the records from the reserve have been on the same building - perhaps they think it's a very big sheep!
Posted by Zeegers on 28-09-2008 08:30
#5
NO, that is called hilltopping.
Oestridae gather at higher localities at the top, the Oestrid way of disco, so to speak. Very strong mechanism.
Theo