Some #insects support passive #breathing via tracheae through #active #respiratorymovements, nsmed #convectiveventilation. Muscle contractions cause motions that e.g. dilate the #spiracles, allowing more efficient #gasexchange. The same time, the process also serves #thermoregulation. My example, the #robberfly #Tolmerus #cingulatus, demonstrates this #behavior.
Please watch my YouTube video; my channel needs more views.
https://youtu.be/zSOdFZF18yk?si=J67MJAevRUq-mP6i
#Photos
© S.F.Wirth
The #robberfly #Tolmerus #cingulatus is native to the Palearctic and prefers dry #habitats. #Adults #prey on other insects, killing their prey with #neurotoxins, predigest via #enzymes. Larvae are soil predators. R. Mitchell (2024) presents a #genome (280,000 megabases) for the #DarwinTreeofLife. See also my science blog article (2024).
©#StefanFWirth #Berlin 2025
Ref
R. Mitchell (2024)
https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.23416.1
S. F. Wirth on " biologe"" (2024)
https://wp.me/p2l6XU-1UV
Photos
© S.F. Wirth
Love these guys 
Had one riding shotgun on my right shoulder while mowing a few days ago. Would like to believe they're going to pounce on any pesky fly that comes near us😆
Robber Flies. First time I've ever spotted the Bumble Bee variety in the wild 
FreddyB Aviation Photography
Stefan F. Wirth
Höflich - Thimo Höffner
Kees Guequierre
Felix
lfisk