Thread subject: Diptera.info :: resin-flies

Posted by Robert Heemskerk on 02-07-2006 23:02
#1
hi flyforum,

On some conifer there were little flies active on the resin of the bark.
I try to understand the flies but it was not my language..

they were waving with there wings, it looks like a ritual..
than, suddenly they got contact with there legs.., touching each other Pfft

any idea what kind of flies these are? and what agreement is this?
are they selling resin?

greeting, Robert
Edited by Robert Heemskerk on 02-07-2006 23:09

Posted by Robert Heemskerk on 02-07-2006 23:03
#2
shaking hands.. or fight?
on this size, I can not see the difference..
Edited by Robert Heemskerk on 02-07-2006 23:05

Posted by Robert Heemskerk on 02-07-2006 23:06
#3
close up of one of these flies..
Edited by Robert Heemskerk on 02-07-2006 23:07

Posted by Tony Irwin on 02-07-2006 23:56
#4
These are Phalacrotophora (Phoridae). I also have some photos of these flies displaying on tree-trunks. I'll post the photos when I've identified the species.
Tony

Posted by Paul Beuk on 03-07-2006 07:45
#5
They are indeed Phalacrotophora and they have nothing with resin except that they use bumps on trees for mating display. The females oviposit on fresh pupae of Coccinellidae and the larvae feed on the pupa. More than one specimen can emerge from a pupa and I have once even reared two different species from a single pupa. Also see downloads HERE.

Posted by Mario Langourov on 03-07-2006 08:53
#6
That's right! These are two females of Phalacrotophora sp.; I have some indications that one of the European species (Ph. pictofasciata) develops on Cerambycidae-larvae
Edited by Mario Langourov on 03-07-2006 16:30