Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Presumed Empididae

Posted by Xespok on 02-06-2005 11:18
#1

I made this picture back at the end of March. Note the specialized middle pair of legs. Does anyone know what this is specialization is used for?
www.diptera.info/forim/5-0364-1.jpg

Posted by Paul Beuk on 02-06-2005 11:22
#2

This looks like Hilara on first sight but I would not mind seeing a closer view. I cannot really make out the fork that is supposed to be in R4+5 so it may be one of the indigenous Japanese Rhamphomyia's as well.

Posted by Xespok on 04-06-2005 00:16
#3

Thx Paul. I magnified the details, hope this helps.

Any idea for the specialsation on the middle pair of legs. This is the only Empidid fly where this was obviously present.
www.diptera.info/forim/5-0364-2.jpg

Posted by Xespok on 04-06-2005 00:19
#4

One idea that I have comes from the fact that I observed this fly on the shore of Japan. Maybe the larva lives in the sand at the beach, and the widened legs help the fly to get out from among the sand. Maybe the two wide dots on the wings are also sand particles attached.

Posted by Paul Beuk on 04-06-2005 15:17
#5

Yes, this is Rhamphomyia. I will start digging in my papers. ;)