Posted by Stephen on 28-07-2014 21:19
#1
I wish I had seen these flies in the field! I did not notice them until I got home and looked at the pictures.
Is it possible to ID the fly family? I am curious if there is an interesting behavior going on, or were the flies just resting on the bugs?
Gervasio Silva Carvalho was kind to identify the mating bugs: they are Sphenorhina rubra.
Date: 21 June 2014. Place: Brokopondo district, along the Suriname River. Mixed tropical forest and gardens.
Posted by John Carr on 29-07-2014 00:51
#2
Those may be parasitic wasps. They are generally shaped like acalyptrate flies, but the antennae are too long. They are shinier than typical Forcipomyiinae, which could be parasitic on large insects.
Posted by Stephen on 30-07-2014 16:50
#3
Thanks, John, I hadn't thought of wasps!