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Post by lamprima2 on Sept 4, 2013 19:45:31 GMT -8
I took a few pics of "lynx" spider (Peucetia?) eating the bee in my backyard (Pic 1) . When downloaded a row of pics from the camera, I noticed small flies, involved in the scene (pics 2,3). Does anyone know what kind of Diptera they are? Are they trying to steal from the spider, or this is something more complicated?
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Post by bandrow on Sept 5, 2013 10:40:30 GMT -8
Greetings,
I showed your images to our dipterist, Dr. Chen Young, and he gave me the following answer: "The tiny flies are in the family Milichiidae. Some adult flies are often found with spiders, robberflies, and reduviid bugs and lick the juice out of their prey."
Interesting!
Cheers! Bandrow
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Post by lamprima2 on Sept 5, 2013 12:59:00 GMT -8
Thanks a lot, Bandrow. A nice word: "kleptoparasite". Best, Sergey
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Post by bandrow on Sept 5, 2013 20:43:50 GMT -8
Greetings,
Kleptoparasite would be the operative term! Dr. Young also mentioned that these flies are usually found feeding on the wrapped prey items right on the spider web. Congratulations on catching them in action in your image... even if you were unaware of their presence!
Cheers! Bandrow
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Post by lamprima2 on Sept 6, 2013 19:27:27 GMT -8
Bandrow, This reminds me 1968 "Blow up" by Michelangelo Antonioni:some photographer takes a picture of lovers in the park, he blows the pic up in his lab and discovers dead body hidden in the background... Please convey my thanks to Dr. Young. Cheers, Sergey
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Post by lepidofrance on Sept 8, 2013 5:55:26 GMT -8
Nice and interesting photos ! Congratulations
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Post by wollastoni on Sept 8, 2013 15:58:03 GMT -8
Very interesting, thanks
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