Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Unknown fly on cactus flower bud
Posted by marcaumarc on 15-12-2011 22:38
#1
This fly seemed to be interested in laying eggs in the bud of a cactus flower (I think the cactus was Pilocereus sp.) It maneuvered around the bud for more than fifteen minutes and seemed to be trying to oviposit into it. Thanks in advance for any ideas about what it might be. A couple additional photos to follow.
Posted by marcaumarc on 15-12-2011 22:41
#2
another photo.
Posted by marcaumarc on 15-12-2011 22:42
#3
another.
Posted by marcaumarc on 15-12-2011 22:42
#4
last one.
Posted by Sara21392 on 15-12-2011 22:51
#5
Is it possible Lauxaniidae? :)
Posted by Paul Beuk on 15-12-2011 22:52
#6
Lonchaeidae
Posted by ChrisR on 15-12-2011 23:13
#7
Nice photos :) But it would probably help the experts if you say where in the world the photo was taken ;)
Posted by rvanderweele on 15-12-2011 23:31
#8
or Cephalocereus sp. ;-)
Posted by marcaumarc on 16-12-2011 00:04
#9
Sorry, I forgot to give the location. It is St. Martin in the Lesser Antilles.
Posted by Iain MacGowan on 16-12-2011 12:36
#10
hello
Definitely female Lonchaeidae, all black legs and a very long antennal segment would point to the genus
Silba or
Neosilba - and as only
Neosilba occurrs in the Neotropics thats what it is. Difficult to get to species level from a photograph as there are a few very similar species in this area - See link below for maps and further info .......... Iain
http://lonchaeida...e/neosilba
Edited by ChrisR on 16-12-2011 12:39
Posted by marcaumarc on 16-12-2011 18:41
#11
Thanks Paul and Ian!
As a side note, I was eating a fruit from the same species of cactus today and it contained larvae. I didn't have my macro lens with me, but perhaps it was the same species.