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Moscow reg., 31 July, in smoke
I wasn't the only person who hunted Microsania, this gentelman too...
4mm

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Exactly what one would expect in Microsania swarms: Hormopeza. The genitalia in this specimen do not really correspond with thos given for H. obliterata by Collin, so I suspect H. copulifera.

Please, collect a few for me and put them on alcohol. ;)

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1. Thank you Paul.
2. Tomorrow I'll try to collect more...
Nikita

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P.S. Vodka (40%) OK?

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Hehe, use an ample quantity and send them in the same quantity as well. :D

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I think vodka would be OK for temporary storage :p
60% would be better.

I just got some Malaise trap material from an artillery shooting range which burns rather regularly. It is first and only trap I've seen with many Microsania (pallipes) and also some Hormopeza.

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My attempt daytime wasn't succesful, but Andrey Ozerov told me that in Far East he collected Hormopeza only on sunset. I tried again with succes.
Paul, in the light of discaution at
http://www.diptera.info/forum/viewthread.php?forum_id=21&thread_id=6523#post_33939
you still prefer in alcohol or pinned specimens (I will pin with a pleasure)?
Nikita

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Alcohol... at any time. :)

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I'm also sure that Hormopeza copulifera eggs and larvae are here too

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male

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Copulation of H.copulifera :o

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Well, even Hormopeza are human, ... eh ..., animalistic. ;)

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flight of Hormopeza

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Did you see much of the mating activity / display etc
If so I'd love to hear about it.
I read somewhere that in the USA several species of Homopeza were discovered to be active in the depths of winter! Mind you, I guess that winters in Califormia or less severe than in Moscow
cheers
Adrian

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I'm do trying to undersand its (and Microsania) life history, so far without grand success:(
It isn't easy job - +30C, I sit as a madman near fire with ears, eyes ect full of Microsania...

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Good luck:- this and Microsania are interesting beasts. In Britain, I have spent many hours by the fire but only occasionally find Microsania but have yet to find Homopeza.
Do you find any prefererence for the type of wood that is being burned? I have only found Microsania when Pinus is being burnt and especially if their are old Quercus in the area too.
cheers
Adrian

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I have perfect site for observation - it is 0,1sq km of cut down fir and aspen forest. A month ago non-condition woods (and as you understand in Russia non-condition means 50% of total woods) was gathered toghether in mix with soil and fired. As a result of all this barbarous process I have fire place firing during a month and all pyromaniac insecta coming here from forests around.
:o
Nikita

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Today I made a "regular touristic fire".
Result: neither Hormopeza, nor even Microsania...