Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Mimicing a wasp...

Posted by Juergen Peters on 07-06-2005 21:47
#1

...is very widespread among syrphids. But this Temnostoma bombylans I photographed today still went beyond: when I came near, it used its darker forelegs to mimic the (moving) antennae of a wasp! Such behaviour I knew from some jumping spiders (Salticidae), but not from a fly.

insekteninfos.de/diptera/0706/Temnostoma_bombylans_1.jpg

insekteninfos.de/diptera/0706/Temnostoma_bombylans_2.jpg

Posted by Paul Beuk on 07-06-2005 23:10
#2

Temnostoma vespiforme can do exactly the same. Very impressive!

Posted by Juergen Peters on 09-06-2005 20:36
#3

Hello, Paul!

Paul Beuk wrote:
Temnostoma vespiforme can do exactly the same. Very impressive!


Just that one amazed me today! When I wanted to photograph the face of this "wasp" for easier identification, I looked through my camera - into two big dipteran eyes... :-)


insekteninfos.de/diptera/0906/Temnostoma_vespiforme_1.jpg

insekteninfos.de/diptera/0906/Temnostoma_vespiforme_2.jpg

Posted by Paul Beuk on 09-06-2005 23:36
#4

Well, you got my point even before I made it! :D