Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 21-08-2005 13:44
#1
Thanks to Mr. Kahis I know that it is Dolichopus simplex (I hope so).
On the picture Dolichopus simplex eats tiny Collembola (Sminthuridae) on the pond's beach
Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 21-08-2005 20:54
#3
Thank you Louis. But I still do not understand how they (Dolichopodidae) eat something more than collembola larvae.
Posted by Paul Beuk on 22-08-2005 07:19
#4
Well, they have no piercing mouthparts but the mouthparts seem to transformed into a big sucker, like one on an octopus' legs. I think they put a tremendous sucking force behind it after they pick up their prey, breaking its exoskeleton and emptying their liquid body contents. I have not checked literature, it is just something I surmised from seeing
Medetera trying to crack the first instar of a true bug.