Posted by crex on 17-11-2006 11:38
#1
I first thought Bibionidae when I looked at this fly. Looking through the forum posts about that family I came across a photo of a fly with similar thickened foreleg, an Empidid. I wouldn't have published this sucky photo if it weren't for the special foreleg ... Is it possible to tell if this is Hilara sp? What ever is the fat leg used for?
From midwest Sweden 2006-05-26 (YYYY-MM-DD).
Edited by crex on 17-11-2006 19:28
Posted by Tony Irwin on 17-11-2006 19:17
#2
Yes, I'd say a male
Hilara - the swollen front basitarsus has silk glands, used to produce silk for wrapping gifts for the lucky lady in his life. Some species have dispensed with the gift and just present the packaging - looking around at the rubbish for sale in this pre-Christmas shopping period, I suspect that we are heading that way too. :D