Thread subject: Diptera.info :: interesting fly

Posted by elck on 24-06-2005 18:49
#1

Hi all,
I am very interested in finding out what fly this is and what it normally feeds on!
If you need other details, please let me know, I have many more photos.


stippen.nl/stipfotos/flylad1.JPG

stippen.nl/stipfotos/flylad3.JPG

Posted by Kahis on 25-06-2005 13:26
#2

It belongs to family Phoridae. I have seen a few phorids like this and they belong to genus Phalacrotophora. The life history of this genus is known quite well, since the larvae are endoparasites of Ladybird Beetles (Coccinellidae) and these beetles are of economic imprtance.

The adults are typically found on tree trunks.

Posted by elck on 25-06-2005 14:04
#3

Ok!
That's exactly why I was interested in the first place.
I saw them buggin the pupae of Harmonia axyridis the multicoloured ladybird and they even seemed to attack a prepupae.

I will see if I can find more about these parasites, or do you happen to know weblinks or literature?

Thanks,

elck

PS I saw that our own Paul wrote about these flies on a begium forum, I hope he can tell us more!


stippen.nl/stipfotos/flylad5.JPG

stippen.nl/stipfotos/flylad7.JPG

Fresh pupea and prepupea of Harmonis axyridis attacked by Phalacrotophora


Edited by elck on 25-06-2005 14:35

Posted by bbrown on 07-07-2005 23:44
#4

Definitely Phalacrotophora, but there are a number of European species, and we'd need specimens to know which one. The photos are beautiful

Brian Brown
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
www.phorid.net

Posted by Jan Willem on 08-07-2005 11:51
#5

Suggestion:
Look at http://www.diptera-info.nl/downloads/European_Phalacrotophora.pdf

Jan Willem

Posted by elck on 09-07-2005 08:56
#6

Thanks for the info Brian and Jan Willem.
When I know more I will come back to this.