Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Wedding dance of Hydrellia

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 13-07-2006 17:44
#1

Moscow region, 13 july, 1,5mm, on fallen on pond leaf.
All dance from meeting till copulation takes 20-30 seconds.
Pair was collected afterwards so I hope to ID species.

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 13-07-2006 17:49
#2

Hydrellia sp.

Posted by Tony Irwin on 13-07-2006 20:05
#3

Great series of photos!
As well as the distinct "lunule" above the antennae, many species of Hydrellia have bright silver or gold faces. Your photos show the importance of head-to-head meetings, when the face colour will be used to aid species recognition. The bright yellow halteres often appear to be used during these dances too. Everything has a function - even if we haven't discovered what it is yet! :)

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 13-07-2006 20:15
#4

Thank you Tony.
According your lesson I choised male and tried to key it.
Palp yellow, cx black, antennae 3-d - yellow, T5=T4, thorax metallic.
Hydrellia flavicornis?

Posted by Kahis on 13-07-2006 20:48
#5

Who knows. There is no key (well, no key I know of) covering all central european Hydrellia :(. Personally I name names only after checking male genitalis - and no figures are available for some species, making even this a bit risky. The old key of Nartchuk in Bei-Bieko is not reliable.

Posted by Tony Irwin on 13-07-2006 21:03
#6

Got to agree with Kahis - I will not identify Hydrellia positively except by examining male genitalia. (There's every possibility of turning up new species.) If you can dissect out the genitalia and clear them, then get a good microscope shot, post the picture and we'll check it against the available drawings. You might very well be right with your identification, but I think it's best to check the genitalia every time. :|

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 13-07-2006 21:18
#7

Thank you Kahis and Tony.
I'll show collected couple to Marina Krivosheina;)
Nikita

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 07-11-2006 19:11
#8

Dancing couple ID by collected flies by Marina Krivosheina as
Hydrellia albilabris.

Posted by Stephen on 07-11-2006 20:56
#9

Yes, I agree, a very nice series documenting this interesting behavior. Nikita, can you post a photo of the face?

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 07-11-2006 21:38
#10

No, I can't or I can, but of Hydrellia sp.
Nikita