Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Feather-faced tachinid
Posted by
ChrisR on 30-05-2007 00:34
#1
My own common-name for one of my favourite tachinids. Picked out of a malaise sample from French Guyana, 1999/2000. Note the way that the whole of antenna 3 (not the arista) is feather-shaped (plumose). It's an amazing feature, for an otherwise 'normal' tachinid
Posted by
ChrisR on 30-05-2007 00:34
#2
another angle...
#3
i suppose that you photoshoped these photos.
eheh
Posted by
ChrisR on 30-05-2007 01:22
#4
Not much - the only work in PhotoShop was to sharpen them a little and to balance the levels a bit, to compensate for the harshness of the microscope lighting.
Posted by
Zeegers on 30-05-2007 21:17
#5
And it still has a normal arista.
Amen
Theo
Posted by
ChrisR on 30-05-2007 21:36
#6
Exactly!
The only abnormal thing is antenna 3 - the rest of the fly could be any European tachinid, like an
Exorista etc.
Interestingly, this antennal feature seems to be present in other, quite dissimilar tachinids from the same area. I have a tiny (3-4mm), tachinid with the same antennae but shiny black body with golden dusting (see below). Very intriguing!
Edited by
ChrisR on 30-05-2007 22:15
Posted by
ChrisR on 30-05-2007 22:15
#7
and the face ...
#8
Sorry Chris, but I think these are actually a bit creepy
- and I'm generally not put off by much! It's the hollowed out faces as much as the extraordinary antennae. And I'm a bit worried about that beetle fly you posted as well. Are you feeling OK over there in Berkshire?