Diptera.info

Posted by Gerard Pennards on 17-03-2009 12:53

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

Posted by socrates on 17-03-2009 13:40

orthopteran indeed... amazing..

Edited by socrates on 17-03-2009 13:40

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

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

Posted by Tony Irwin on 17-03-2009 20:32

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

Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 17-03-2009 21:41

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

Posted by Tony Irwin on 18-03-2009 00:23

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 05:32

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 08:12

#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 08:12

Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 18-03-2009 08:19

#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 10:36

#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,