Posted by T Bone on 17-03-2006 00:27
#1
I was wondering if any of you know whether any True Flies (Muscidae) are migratory.
Any info on how far a fly can travel on its own from its birthplace in a lifetime?
Posted by Kahis on 17-03-2006 08:16
#2
Some species apparently are, at least occasionally. Last summer Finland's south coast was hit by a mass occurence of a muscid (of tribus Phaoniini) which had characters typical for mass migration over the Gulf of Finland: sudden onset over a large area, very large number of flies on outer islands and progressively fewer towards the coastline, sharp drop in numbers after a few days (by local dispersion and death). Many records came from locals who called zoological museums and asked WTF is going on, so the amount of flies involved must have been truly staggering:o
The migratory hoverflies regurarly cover >1000 km, but no doubt they 'ride' winds like most migrants.