Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Miltogramminae for ID
Posted by Sundew on 14-07-2009 11:37
#1
Hi,
Some days ago I watched a Spiny Digger Wasp,
Oxybelus argentatus, dragging its usual prey, a
Thereva to a suitable place where to bury it. There was also another careful watcher whom I had already observed earlier on sandy places preferred by Crabronidae wasps. It was a small Sarcophagid of Miltogramminae. The wasp was not amused by its presence, but the fly, unimpressed, stayed on its place. Its behaviour resembled that of
Metopia, a male of which was also nearby. However,
Metopia has bigger antennae, so is this a
Miltogramma? And does it parasitize the wasp's prey or brood?
Many thanks for information, Sundew
Edited by Sundew on 14-07-2009 12:02
Posted by Sundew on 14-07-2009 11:38
#2
More details of the fly.
Posted by Sundew on 14-07-2009 12:00
#3
Wasp digging, fly watching...
Posted by Zeegers on 14-07-2009 18:58
#4
Looks like Senotainia spec (?conica)
classic behaviour for this species ('satellite fly')
Excellent series !
Theo
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 14-07-2009 19:03
#5
Sundew productions. Soon near your theater: "Satellite flies spying digger wasps."
Actresses: Senoitania (conica); Oxybelus argentatus; Thereva
Producers: Claudia
Director of photography: Claudia
Script: Liekele and Theo :D
Film director: Claudia.
Posted by Sundew on 14-07-2009 22:16
#6
Friends, I am delighted you like my newest movie! (BTW, I have so many shots I could really combine them to a film :D) Among the actresses,
Thereva received the most thankless part... Now I'm waiting for the second script author, as I'm a bit in doubt about
Senotainia conica. Liekele IDed this species in a former thread of mine (
http://www.dipter...d_id=15039), and this fly looked different. The upper one has a brownish frons,
S. conica had a grey one. Well, I really wonder who my leading lady is!
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 14-07-2009 22:49
#7
:) why not? ;)
Posted by Liekele Sijstermans on 14-07-2009 23:38
#8
Very, very nice pictures.
This Senotainia looks different because it is a female (on the other thread it was a male) and there is some variation in colour. I think this must be Senotainia conica.
Some (older) literature mentions relations between Miltogramma and Sphecidae. Most recent and traceable observations of Miltogramma always - to my knowledge - refer to Apidae as hosts of Miltogramma. It seems very unlikely to me that Miltogramma switches in food from vegetarian to non-vegetarian.
A movie about Miltogrammine flies is a great idea. University of Wageningen made a movie but it is considered lost. I have never seen it.
Liekele