Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Feather-faced tachinid
Posted by ChrisR on 30-05-2007 01:34
#1
My own common-name for one of my favourite tachinids. Picked out of a malaise sample from French Guyana, 1999/2000. Note the way that the whole of antenna 3 (not the arista) is feather-shaped (plumose). It's an amazing feature, for an otherwise 'normal' tachinid :)
Posted by ChrisR on 30-05-2007 01:34
#2
another angle...
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 30-05-2007 01:54
#3
i suppose that you photoshoped these photos. :pB) eheh
Posted by ChrisR on 30-05-2007 02:22
#4
Not much - the only work in PhotoShop was to sharpen them a little and to balance the levels a bit, to compensate for the harshness of the microscope lighting.
Posted by Zeegers on 30-05-2007 22:17
#5
And it still has a normal arista.
Amen
Theo
Posted by ChrisR on 30-05-2007 22:36
#6
Exactly! :) The only abnormal thing is antenna 3 - the rest of the fly could be any European tachinid, like an
Exorista etc.
Interestingly, this antennal feature seems to be present in other, quite dissimilar tachinids from the same area. I have a tiny (3-4mm), tachinid with the same antennae but shiny black body with golden dusting (see below). Very intriguing! :)
Edited by ChrisR on 30-05-2007 23:15
Posted by ChrisR on 30-05-2007 23:15
#7
and the face ...
Posted by Susan R Walter on 31-05-2007 13:47
#8
Sorry Chris, but I think these are actually a bit creepy :o - and I'm generally not put off by much! It's the hollowed out faces as much as the extraordinary antennae. And I'm a bit worried about that beetle fly you posted as well. Are you feeling OK over there in Berkshire? :p