Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Small Tachinid hatched from Vanessa atalanta pupa

Posted by Juergen Peters on 10-10-2007 20:10
#1
Hello!

Instead of butterflies as anticipated it were some parasitic waps and a Tachinid which hatched on Sept-29 from Vanessa atalanta pupae as reported by Birgit Gabriel. I hereby post a picture for her. The full thread (in German) can be found here: http://insektenfo...adid=10023

Can the fly be identified? Thanks in advance!
Edited by Juergen Peters on 10-10-2007 20:12

Posted by Zeegers on 10-10-2007 20:28
#2
Looks like Sturmia bella (again, guys, this is a rare species !),
which hosts are... Nymphalidae !

Could we see the hind tibia, please ?


Theo

Posted by Juergen Peters on 10-10-2007 20:37
#3
Hello, Theo!

Zeegers wrote:
Looks like Sturmia bella (again, guys, this is a rare species !),
which hosts are... Nymphalidae !


Many thanks!

Could we see the hind tibia, please ?


I will ask Birgit, if she has some other photos.

Posted by ChrisR on 10-10-2007 22:26
#4
We've always found them to be fairly frequent in southern England - especially around patches of Nettles where nymphalid larvae are feeding. Many lepidopterists rear them out too and we have had several rather sensationalist stories in the entomological press claiming that Sturmia will wipe out butterflies like Aglais urticae.
Edited by ChrisR on 10-10-2007 23:08

Posted by Juergen Peters on 10-10-2007 22:49
#5
I will ask Birgit, if she has some other photos.


She only has this additional photo.

Posted by ChrisR on 10-10-2007 23:12
#6
Interestingly, in many of these recent Sturmia photos the insect appears to be holding the back legs together under the abdomen. It seems too much of a coincidence that all of these photographers have captured the fly cleaning so could they be using the comb of bristles on the hind tibia to rub against the 'sturmia-spot' on the underside of the abdomen? If so, why? Would it be to release some kind of pheromone or make a noise? Interesting behaviour anyway Smile

Posted by Zeegers on 11-10-2007 20:09
#7
Well, we can't see the hind tibia but I have little doubt this is Sturmia bella.


Theo

Posted by Juergen Peters on 11-10-2007 21:42
#8
Zeegers wrote:
Well, we can't see the hind tibia but I have little doubt this is Sturmia bella.


Many thanks, Theo!