Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
 Life and death
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| lynkos |
Posted on 19-08-2006 20:19
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Member Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 466 Joined: 20.06.05 |
Can anyone tell me something about this scene of life and death? Predator about 5 mm, photographed near Rome in Italy.  Thanks, Sarah. |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 19-08-2006 21:08
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 Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7344 Joined: 19.11.04 |
The predator is a Lispe tentaculata, and I'd guess the prey is a Muscina assimilis. (Both Muscidae). The Lispe has a Lispe "jizz", the abdominal pattern is distinctive, and the hind basitarsis is swollen basally. The Muscina has a Phaoninae "jizz", the scutellum has an orange tip, and the discal vein is curved forwards so that the end of the cell at the wing margin is about three-quarters of the greatest width of the cell. Great action shot, Sarah! 
Edited by Tony Irwin on 19-08-2006 21:22 Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| lynkos |
Posted on 20-08-2006 05:52
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Member Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 466 Joined: 20.06.05 |
Thanks Tony, not just for identifying them, but also for explaining why! Sarah. |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 20-08-2006 11:39
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Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7344 Joined: 19.11.04 |
You're welcome, Sarah - and thanks for not asking exactly what the jizz is for each fly!  As you know, jizz is a compilation of lots of little things - more of a feeling than anything that can be easily described.
Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| lynkos |
Posted on 20-08-2006 12:33
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Member Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 466 Joined: 20.06.05 |
Know just what you mean Tony  , Sarah. |
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