Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Green midge, red eyes
Posted by
Stephen on 03-09-2007 12:53
#1
I don't recall seeing a midge with red eyes before.
I notice lots of green midges are in the genus Tanytarsus, though I usually get burned when I try to make IDs based on color. ID help appreciated.
Date: 3 June 2007.
Location: Island in the Ohio River, West Virginia USA.
#2
Sorry, Stephen - wrong order. This is a leafhopper (Homoptera, Cicadellidae). However, it does appear to be mimicking a chironomid, though why anything should want to do that is a mystery - chironomids don't sting and they taste good! Perhaps it's trying to fool the local pipunculids into leaving it alone!
It's a very wierd insect. You may get an answer posting it on bug guide, otherwise I may be able to get the name of an American cicadellid expert.
#3
this is surely one of the best mimics I've ever seen since that Ceriana fooled me!
It is extremely similar to Stenochironomus - the body..
#4
Tony Irwin wrote:
[...]However, it does appear to be mimicking a chironomid, though why anything should want to do that is a mystery - chironomids don't sting and they taste good![...]
Tony... did you eat chironomids?
Your words: "they taste good!"
#5
Well if this really is a cicadellid (of which I'm not at all convinced yet) it surely is a very good mimic. Even the legs (totally uncicadellid like!!) are similar. Which genus of Cicadellidae might this be Tony?
Jan Willem
#6
Doh!
Trish keeps telling me I need a holiday and this is proof!
Apologies to all the puzzled people who wonder if I'm going mad.
I am.
Stephen is correct - it's a chironomid.
Eating all those midges has done something to my judgement. I'd best keep my mouth shut for a while!
#7
with a lateral view shot this post never appeared!
eheh
I think you forgot to put some pepper and salt on chironomids.
Posted by
Stephen on 04-09-2007 00:03
#8
That snout does look very Cicadellid-like!