Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Very small asilids from Portugal
#1
I found these tiny asilids on Santo Andr?, Alentejo, Portugal. They were very small and were always on the ground. In the last photo we can see one of these asilids eating a mite. I thought asilids only captured flying prey
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date: 13/08/2008
#2
Rui: Fantastic photos - and of great interest! The asilid is a species of Stichopogon which looks very much like the Mediterranean S. scaliger Loew. However, that sp. is not known from as far west as the Iberian Peninsula, so your fly is Stichopogon sp. for now (perhaps 'Dysmachus' will be able to identify it further). Asilids nearly always feed only on flying prey. An exception are those few genera which eat spiders: these flies usually catch sitting spiders - while the asilid hovers in front of the spider's web - although some are known to catch spiders on the ground or other substrates. This is the first observation I know about of an asilid feeding on a mite (Stichopogon are known to feed spiders on the ground). I emailed R.J. Lavigne - who is the expert on asild predatory behavior - and he may provide further info on this subject. The first two photos are of females, the one eating the mite is a male. Great work!
Regards, Eric
#3
Thank you Eric for your help
. When I saw the asilid feeding on the mite, I was really surprised. I had already witnessed an asilid feeding on a respectably sized dragonfly (Orthetrum coerulescens), and now a very small mite, fantastic, without a doubt!
#4
I have seen dozens of them near cascades. Precisely this species.
#5
Hi Rui,
I heard from R.J. Lavigne, who has confirmed that this is the first record of a robber fly eating a mite (Acarina). Congratulations on your obeservation (and excellent photos)!
Regards, Eric
#6
Wow, thank you very much Eric, for your wonderful news
!
#7
Very many congratulations Rui.
Great work.
#8
Thank you so much Susan
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#9
In the last 6th of September I found in Apúlia some specimens of Stichopogon that seems to belong to the same species from Santo Andre. Apúlia is nearly 400 km away from Santo Andre. What do you think, same species?
#10
In my opinion, yes. Look at tibia - precisely the same spots.
the same for bristles in tarsi!
I would say that you are just using photos from Santo Andr?.
