Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Chinese Hermetia sp.
Posted by Isidro on 02-05-2007 12:44
#1
I taked last year at Novembrethis Hermetia in China, in Xian. It looks identical to the Spanish H. illucens, but the windows at the basis of the abdomen is transparent (you can see the tibia trhough it).
I taked various photos, but most are lost due to a failure in memory card. This is the only photo that I have now.
Can you help me with the id?
Regards ;)
Posted by Xespok on 02-05-2007 14:43
#2
As far as I can remember the H. illucens that was very common in Japan (introduced from the USA if I am not mistaken) had this translucent abdomens. There migth be some varability in this species or maybe it depends on the gender. Anyhow, I was impressed with this partially translucent fly.
Hermetia illucens from Japan.
Posted by Tony Irwin on 02-05-2007 20:26
#3
Hermetia illucens is a cosmopolitan species, found in all continents between 45deg N and 40deg S. The larva breeds in a very wide range of decaying material, including faeces, and is often synanthropic, so it has spread successfully, and is likely to spread further. The very long antennae (cut off in Isidro's photo) and the translucent patches on the abdomen (smaller in the female) are pretty distinctive.
Posted by Isidro on 02-05-2007 23:07
#4
So, is illucens also..
Thanks!
And thanks by the link Xespok! It can be very useful for me.
Posted by Luzmaria on 19-07-2007 02:05
#5
I had a chance here by Aburayama in Fukuoka City, Japan to see this black soldier fly (
Hermetia illucens). It was inside our window screen, my son sprayed it with bug spray for fear that the insect would sting him. Yes, I saw the translucent windows on the insect, and yes, it was smaller. So I guess it was a female black soldier fly. At first I thought it was a odd looking fly then retreated when I saw how slender the end of the abdomen was. It moved its lower pointy abdomen similar to a bees' defensive movement.
The base of the black wings (2-winged) was iridescent royal blue, and the end of its 6 legs were pale yellow. The head had heavy compound eyes and slender antennae with clubbed ends (not something I would associate with a fly). I imagined it wondered from the fortified river, which resembles a creek, a block away. Other than the attraction of decaying matter, would a pet stag beetle attract such an insect?
EDIT Paul Beuk: HTML code replaced with bb code. ;)
Edited by Paul Beuk on 19-07-2007 08:27
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 19-07-2007 09:09
#6
i wonder why these flies has a partially abdomen? Is this gives some advantage to them? (more light??) OR with open wings they can cheat...
I have two species of Stratiomyidae closed in vials with ethanol and in both it is very easy to spot transparent abdomen!