Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Sphaerocidae? ID flies on spider preys

Posted by Annemiek on 11-07-2022 08:09
#1
Repeatedly observed in the SE-Netherlands: diptera (possibly Sphaerocidae?) feeding on preys of spiders such as in the attached picture (honey bee Apis mellifera predated by crab spider Misumena vatia). Is it possible to ID the flies at some level? Has this behavior been described somewhere? Do they just feed?

I post the picture with consent of the author P. van Breugel

Thanks in advance for your help.

Best regards,
Annemiek van Dijk
Edited by Annemiek on 11-07-2022 08:14

Posted by eklans on 11-07-2022 08:27
#2
Hi Annemiek, I think, these are Milichiidae, possibly Desmometopa.

Posted by Annemiek on 11-07-2022 09:02
#3
Thank you Eric, that is very helpful!