Helophilus laying eggs

[DaiTheDragon]

Saw 2 flies mating today and as soon as the male fly took off this one did this almost immediately. Is it laying eggs?

[JRsbugs]

No, it's passing waste pollen. This looks like Parahelophilus frutetorum.

Janet

[DaiTheDragon]

Thank Janet.

Dai

[Bruce Williams]

Fascinating behavioral shot Dai - Thanks for posting.

Bruce

[nutmeg]

I second Bruce - great to see a shot of this behaviour.

[JRsbugs]

Ya ain't see nothin yet till ya see a honey bee do it!

[Roger Morris]

Whilst I would agree with Parhelophilus I really don't see how you can make it frutetorum - the photo is not enough to show occipital hairs which are crucial.

Regards

Roger

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Roger Morris

Whilst I would agree with Parhelophilus I really don't see how you can make it frutetorum - the photo is not enough to show occipital hairs which are crucial.

Regards

Roger

Roger, because I couldn't see the hairs in question I used another feature as in Mark van Veen's key which is the dust spots on T3 being well separated from the other two in the middle. This isn't mentioned for other species such as P. versicolor, however to be on the safe side that is why I said 'looks like'.

For P. consimilis: apical 1/3 of front tibia black which can't be seen well. Tergite one with two diagonal bands of dusting with the median section undusted, with two more or less triangular black sections laterally..

[Roger Morris]

I'm clearly out of my depth - over to you in future Janet as I really don't think I have enough experience to have the confidence to make such judgements.

p/s I am perfectly familiar with P. consimilis which looks nothing like the other two GB species.

RM

[JRsbugs]

Roger, I'm sorry if you are taking this personally.

I was simply replying to what you asked. I outlined what is in the only keys I have at the moment, those of Mark van Veen, to explain this and for the benefit of others so they would know what to look for.