Diptera.info

Posted by Gerard Pennards on 17-03-2009 11:53

He fooled you!! :-) :-)
It's not ant ant, it's a cricket, so Orthoptera, Gryllidae!
Greetings

Posted by socrates on 17-03-2009 12:40

orthopteran indeed... amazing..

Edited by socrates on 17-03-2009 12:40

Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 17-03-2009 16:11

Wow! Fooled me alright!
I was wondering about the long hindlegs though.
Thanks Gerard.

Posted by Tony Irwin on 17-03-2009 19:32

Looks very like Macroxiphus - see http://www.dib.bo...xiphus.pdf

Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 17-03-2009 20:41

Thanks Tony,
it looks very much like L1. Should I assume Macroxiphus siamensis?

Posted by Tony Irwin on 17-03-2009 23:23

No, I don't think it's the same species. May not even be the same genus, but is closely related.

Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 18-03-2009 04:32

ok, thanks.
BTW, the mimicry of this cricket, is it an evolutionary mechanism of survival or just coincidence that it resembles an insect. If mimicry, why would it mimic an ant?

Posted by Xespok on 18-03-2009 07:12

#10

Beacuse ants are among the most featful insects in other insects eyes. They are pretty strong as individuals. but almost undefeatable as a superindividual. Attacking an ant means attacking possibly millions of ants. Therefore most predators leave ants alone.

That is why there are convincing ant mimics in almost all arthropod groups, including Orthotpera, Heteroptera, Aranaea, non-formicid Hymenoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera etc.

Edited by Xespok on 18-03-2009 07:12

Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 18-03-2009 07:19

#11

Thanks Xespok.
The other day I saw a small 1mm ant scare away a jumping spider. You information answers many questions:)

Posted by Gerard Pennards on 19-03-2009 09:36

#12

And there is a small correction to be made! It's Orthoptera alright, but as you can see on the page which Tony send it's not a cricket (look at the adults) but a katydid nymph, so Tettigoniidae!
Greetings,