Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Tabanus sudeticus f laying eggs (Bel) ?

Posted by Christine Devillers on 10-11-2018 21:13
#1

Hello,

On 23-07-2018 I found this female laying eggs under a leaf of Epilobium at 1 meter above moist soil.
When I found her (4:21 pm) she had already lay some eggs. I watched her for more than an hour and at 5:30 pm she was still laying eggs, so I came back a few days later (30-07-2018) to see the finished laying. There were 5 or 6 layers.

Is it a female of Tabanus sudeticus ?

Thanks
Christine

Pic 1 23-07-2018 4:29 pm

Posted by Christine Devillers on 10-11-2018 21:13
#2

Pic 2 23-07-2018 4:29 pm

Posted by Christine Devillers on 10-11-2018 21:14
#3

Pic 3 23-07-2018

Posted by Christine Devillers on 10-11-2018 21:15
#4

Pic 4 23-07-2018 5:23 pm

Posted by Christine Devillers on 10-11-2018 21:16
#5

Pic 5 23-07-2018

Posted by Christine Devillers on 10-11-2018 21:17
#6

Pic 6 30-07-2018

Posted by Christine Devillers on 10-11-2018 21:17
#7

Pic 7 30-07-2018

Posted by Zeegers on 11-11-2018 09:19
#8

Very inetersting, Christine.
Much more terrestrial than expected. Do you happen to have a picture of the soil ?

Anyway, the identification is correct.

Theo

Posted by Christine Devillers on 12-11-2018 16:46
#9

Thanks Theo

The soil is covered with vegetation (Juncus, Ranunculus, Epilobium, Poaceae, Cyperaceae ...).
The wet area is located on the edge of a forest path, next to a small stream whose water seeps in this area.
Here are somes pictures taken today.

Pic 8 : wet area

Posted by Christine Devillers on 12-11-2018 16:47
#10

pic 9 : Red square: area with Epilobium where female laid eggs

Posted by Christine Devillers on 12-11-2018 16:47
#11

pic 10

Posted by Christine Devillers on 12-11-2018 16:49
#12

pic 11

Posted by Zeegers on 13-11-2018 07:13
#13

Super, christine !

I have heard of sudeticus laying eggs on leaves over a pond, but this clearly is much ‘drier’ . Suggesting a semi-aquatic lifestyle for the larvae, rather than aquatic. Or a big mistake by mam ....

Theo