Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Syrphid with a fungus

Posted by Juergen Peters on 07-10-2007 23:14
#1

Hello!

At the moment I find many flies infected with Entomophthora muscae or some other fungus. Most are Muscids or Calliphorids (Pollenia), but today there was also a Syrphid. Can the fly be determined? Found on a meadow, Ostwestfalen/Germany.

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 08-10-2007 03:24
#2

i used to find them with the head more near the ground.

Posted by Juergen Peters on 08-10-2007 03:35
#3

Hello, Jorge!

jorgemotalmeida wrote:
i used to find them with the head more near the ground.


Perhaps I am not looking enough at the ground, but I often find those infected flies sitting (or should I say sticking?) on walls or halms - like this Pollenia (also from yesterday).

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 08-10-2007 03:44
#4

I saw only Syrphidae, Scathophagidae being killed by this fungi.
The typical position is to spread much more easily the spores.

Posted by Gerard Pennards on 08-10-2007 22:46
#5

The syrphid is a female Melanostoma, probably mellinum!
Greetings

Posted by Juergen Peters on 08-10-2007 23:17
#6

Hello, Gerard!

Gerard Pennards wrote:
The syrphid is a female Melanostoma, probably mellinum!


Thanks! M. mellinum and scalare are still numerous here at the moment, but the orange markings looked somewhat strange to me. But this is maybe because the abdomen segments are spread by the fungus...