Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Very small asilids from Portugal
Posted by Rui Andrade on 16-08-2008 15:48
#1
I found these tiny asilids on Santo Andr?, Alentejo, Portugal. They were very small and were always on the ground. In the last photo we can see one of these asilids eating a mite. I thought asilids only captured flying prey:o.
date: 13/08/2008
Posted by Eric Fisher on 17-08-2008 03:18
#2
Rui: Fantastic photos - and of great interest! The asilid is a species of Stichopogon which looks very much like the Mediterranean S. scaliger Loew. However, that sp. is not known from as far west as the Iberian Peninsula, so your fly is Stichopogon sp. for now (perhaps 'Dysmachus' will be able to identify it further). Asilids nearly always feed only on flying prey. An exception are those few genera which eat spiders: these flies usually catch sitting spiders - while the asilid hovers in front of the spider's web - although some are known to catch spiders on the ground or other substrates. This is the first observation I know about of an asilid feeding on a mite (Stichopogon are known to feed spiders on the ground). I emailed R.J. Lavigne - who is the expert on asild predatory behavior - and he may provide further info on this subject. The first two photos are of females, the one eating the mite is a male. Great work!
Regards, Eric
Posted by Rui Andrade on 17-08-2008 23:08
#3
Thank you Eric for your help:). When I saw the asilid feeding on the mite, I was really surprised. I had already witnessed an asilid feeding on a respectably sized dragonfly (Orthetrum coerulescens), and now a very small mite, fantastic, without a doubt!:o
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 18-08-2008 00:24
#4
I have seen dozens of them near cascades. Precisely this species. :)
Posted by Eric Fisher on 18-08-2008 17:22
#5
Hi Rui,
I heard from R.J. Lavigne, who has confirmed that this is the first record of a robber fly eating a mite (Acarina). Congratulations on your obeservation (and excellent photos)!
Regards, Eric
Posted by Rui Andrade on 19-08-2008 23:57
#6
Wow, thank you very much Eric, for your wonderful news:D!
Posted by Susan R Walter on 20-08-2008 14:16
#7
Very many congratulations Rui. :D Great work.
Posted by Rui Andrade on 21-08-2008 01:39
#8
Thank you so much Susan;).
Posted by Rui Andrade on 11-09-2008 16:38
#9
In the last 6th of September I found in Apúlia some specimens of Stichopogon that seems to belong to the same species from Santo Andre. Apúlia is nearly 400 km away from Santo Andre. What do you think, same species?
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 11-09-2008 16:43
#10
In my opinion, yes. Look at tibia - precisely the same spots.
the same for bristles in tarsi!
I would say that you are just using photos from Santo Andr?. :P