@emmecola @TarkabarkaHolgy The plot thickens: flies caught in a ménage a trois.

http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/130151539
#iNaturalist #Conopidae #Diptera #flies

Of my 12 observations this year of conopid* flies – mostly parasites of adult wasps – from US, UK and Croatia, none have collected a single comment or endorsement of the genus or species.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2024-01-01&d2=2024-10-08&taxon_id=61893&user_id=albertcardona

Did I get them right? Hopefully. Am I an expert? No. Just wish there was a guide out there on these fascinating flies. How they ever evolved into being is a fascinating thought to entertain.

* Conopids are also known as thick-headed flies, beegrabbers and waspgrabbers. For their life history, see: Gibson's thesis (2011), titled "The evolutionary biology of Conopidae (Diptera): a life history, molecular, morphological, systematic, and taxonomic approach" https://repository.library.carleton.ca/downloads/ks65hc719 which, among other details, has "the first ever key to world genera of Conopidae".

#iNaturalist #entomology #Conopidae #Diptera

First unusual fly of the season:

Myopa vicaria, a conopid https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/204696300

The larvae of these flies are all internal parasites, "most of aculeate (stinging) Hymenoptera. Adult females aggressively intercept their hosts in flight to deposit eggs." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conopidae

#Conopidae #Diptera #iNaturalist #flies #parasites

There are still very few insects around, but I found this Myopa fly staring at me.

#photography #photo #nature #naturephotography #mft #microfourthirds #darktable #macrophotography #macro #animals #wildlife #insects #flies #Conopidae #Myopa #Blasenkopffliegen