Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Ochthera
#1
South Turkey, end May.
Is it our O. mantis or there existe other possibilities in Antalia?
#3
This is
Ochthera schembrii (=
mantispa) female. The only other similar species (not recorded in Turkey yet) is
pilimana which has yellow bases to the mid and hind tibiae and more extensively darkened tarsi.
I love this photo!
#4
Thank you Tony!
Nikita,
very much surprised that it is female.
#5
Nikita Vikhrev wrote:
Thank you Tony!
Nikita,
very much surprised that it is female.
Awesome fly that mimics a praying mantis!
#6
Well, it's hardly Mantodea mimicry, taking into account the size
. Maybe just analogous organs?
However, one type of feeding behavior not previously reported was observed in 0. mantis. In the first observation of this behavior pattern, the fly repeatedly probed the substrate with its proboscis and, after doing so extensively at one point, it excavated with its fore tibial spines a chironomid larva. The predator held the larva between the tibiae and femora of its raptorial fore legs, punctured it with its labella and began consuming it.
Deonier, D. L. - Observations on Mating, Oviposition, and Food Habits of Certain Shore Flies (Diptera: Ephydridae) - The Ohio Journal of Science. v72 n1 (January, 1972), 22-29.
https://kb.osu.ed...01_022.pdf
#7
Hi Nikita,
Nikita wrote:
very much surprised that it is female.
Why?? Looking at the tip op the abdomen I would have been surprised if Tony had told us it was a male specimen!
Jan Willem
#8
I didn't look at abdomen, I looked at forelegs...
But Dima explained me what she does with forelegs...
Nikita
#9
Both male and female
Ochthera use their raptorial (predatory) forelegs for catching food, in much the same way that a mantis does. (Of course there are quite a few even smaller Empididae that do the same.) If you catch a live
Ochthera and put it in a tube with a small chironomid, it will often demonstrate the technique!
As Jan points out, the abdomen tip looks female, but also in this genus the males often have a modified fore tarsus, with a sensory pit containing large bristles. (Not all species show this, so it is best to rely on the abdomen shape.)