Thread subject: Diptera.info :: British Centrophlebomyia furcata

Posted by Tony Irwin on 08-05-2008 20:14
#3

The Thyreophorinae are known as bone-skippers. The larvae of other Piophilidae that live on cheese can jump by hanging onto their rear ends with their mouthparts, tensing the body, then letting go - this earned them the name of cheese-skippers. As Thyreophoridae larvae apparently feed on bone marrow, they get the name of bone-skippers, but I don't know if they can jump. They do seem to be more often found in cooler seasons (when most dipterists are busy trying to identify the previous year's captures ;)).
So next winter and spring we must all get out early in the year and find a dead donkey, cow, deer or dog that has been lying around for the winter. As Phil says, though, that's not easy in many countries - public health regulations get in the way!
I can't add anything to the details that John has listed.

Edited by Tony Irwin on 08-05-2008 20:15