Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

FM Forum Rules
Macro World Resource
  

FM Forums | Macro & Still Life | Join Upload & Sell

  

Archive 2016 · Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius “At Prayer”

  
 
e6filmuser
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius “At Prayer”


I had seen one of these flies in my garden recently. It was jumping, not flying, from leaf to leaf fairly deep in the foliage of a shrub. I didn’t get good images.

Then, on a warm but cloudy day, with many insects active, I found this one on blackcurrant bushes.

These images document a strange behaviour which it exhibited on one leaf which was below the outer leaves. It remained on this leaf for several minutes.

After it had been there a short while it went into a repetitive routine. It would bend its front legs suddenly, bringing its mouth region into, or almost into, contact with the upper surface of the leaf. It remained in this pose for many seconds, apparently doing nothing. It would then, very briefly (less than a second) raise its head and body to about horizontal, turn a few degrees anticlockwise, and swiftly drop into the head-down position again. I did not count the number of repetitions of this but there must have been ten or more. Eventually, it moved onto an adjacent leaf and performed a few more dips.

I have been unable to find a published description of this behaviour.

Olympus EM-1, Kiron 105mm, f16 ISO 800, twin TTL flash, hand-held.

Harold





© Harold Gough 2016





© Harold Gough 2016





© Harold Gough 2016





© Harold Gough 2016





© Harold Gough 2016




Jun 22, 2016 at 12:42 AM
e6filmuser
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius “At Prayer”


Two more:





© Harold Gough 2016





© Harold Gough 2016




Jun 22, 2016 at 12:44 AM
LordV
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius “At Prayer”


Good find and shots Harold.
I've watched dolichopid flies doing similar things- I assumed they are licking moisture or pollen off the leaves.
Brian v.



Jun 22, 2016 at 12:49 AM
e6filmuser
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius “At Prayer”


LordV wrote:
Good find and shots Harold.
I've watched dolichopid flies doing similar things- I assumed they are licking moisture or pollen off the leaves.
Brian v.


Thanks, Brian.

It has to be something like that. I did wonder if it was an act of respect.

I shall watch out for it in the Dolis, which are easier to find. So far, they just stand around.

Harold




Jun 22, 2016 at 01:24 AM
surfnron
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius “At Prayer”


Was it facing towards Mecca Harold? It might have been praying. These shots are well done ~ Ron


Jun 22, 2016 at 07:35 AM
e6filmuser
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius “At Prayer”


surfnron wrote:
Was it facing towards Mecca Harold? It might have been praying. These shots are well done ~ Ron


Thanks, Ron.

It covered all points of the compass.

Harold



Jun 22, 2016 at 07:39 AM
LordV
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius “At Prayer”


Example dolichopids
brian V.



?zz=1">



Jun 23, 2016 at 12:36 AM
e6filmuser
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius “At Prayer”


LordV wrote:
Example dolichopids
brian V.

https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/482/19142928131_6a75f3de5e_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2448/3602160053_cddde3d31a_z.jpg?zz=1


Yes, analagous.

Harold



Jun 23, 2016 at 01:39 AM





FM Forums | Macro & Still Life | Join Upload & Sell

    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.