Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Milesia crabroniformis

Posted by pierred on 16-08-2008 18:18
#1
Hello,

In the P?rigord (south of France), 2008/VII/23, 270 masl, size: 22-25mm (really huge like a Vespa crabro !!).

I don't know whether the species has holoptic eyes. Anyway, I saw several specimens in a few days and some of them had a very territorial behaviour, chasing from their territory (a square of thristles) other Diptera (mainly Eristalini), but also Hymenoptera (wild bees) and even Lepidoptera.

Posted by Gerard Pennards on 17-08-2008 09:50
#2
Very nice Pierre!!
greetings

Posted by conopid on 17-08-2008 09:56
#3
Yes these are fabulous hoverflies. I managed to photograph one a few years back in Languedoc.Pfft PfftGrin
http://www.flickr...n/4514011/
Edited by conopid on 17-08-2008 09:57

Posted by pierred on 18-08-2008 06:22
#4
Thanks for your comments.
The photo on flicker is awesome!!

I've found a picture of M. crabroniformis in Matile's book and it seems that the eyes of this species are not holoptic. The painting by S?guy shows a female with a space between eyes which is broader than on my picture.

Btw, I'm not sure that the picture already in the gallery is really a female.
Edited by pierred on 18-08-2008 06:29

Posted by pierred on 24-08-2008 17:39
#5
Hello,

Found a photo showing the eyes of the male.
The contact point is very low.