Comments on: fabulous fakes http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/06/26/fabulous-fakes/ a place where nature, photography and writing meet Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:52:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Jenn http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/06/26/fabulous-fakes/#comment-135924 Sun, 01 Jul 2007 16:49:25 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/06/26/fabulous-fakes/#comment-135924 That fly at the top is really fab! Hard to id though - once I posted what turned out to be a Mallota at bugguide and they went through two other genera (Criorhina and Merodon) before settling on that. Apparently wing venation is important...if you are lucky enough to have captured that in the photos! Often I do not realize I've photographed a bee mimic until I get home and get the photos up on the computer monitor. Some of them are quite impressive. What a great post! That fly at the top is really fab! Hard to id though - once I posted what turned out to be a Mallota at bugguide and they went through two other genera (Criorhina and Merodon) before settling on that. Apparently wing venation is important…if you are lucky enough to have captured that in the photos!

Often I do not realize I’ve photographed a bee mimic until I get home and get the photos up on the computer monitor. Some of them are quite impressive. What a great post!

]]> by: robin andrea http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/06/26/fabulous-fakes/#comment-126894 Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:34:29 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/06/26/fabulous-fakes/#comment-126894 Really fantastic photos, Bev. That top one is just something I can't take my eyes off of. What a great-looking fake. Beautiful. Really fantastic photos, Bev. That top one is just something I can’t take my eyes off of. What a great-looking fake. Beautiful.

]]> by: Duncan http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/06/26/fabulous-fakes/#comment-124786 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:16:16 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/06/26/fabulous-fakes/#comment-124786 I meant insect of course, this toothache must have taken my mind off the job for a moment :-( I meant insect of course, this toothache must have taken my mind off the job for a moment :-(

]]> by: Duncan http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/06/26/fabulous-fakes/#comment-124783 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:15:01 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/06/26/fabulous-fakes/#comment-124783 Love those inscet photos Bev. :-) Love those inscet photos Bev. :-)

]]> by: bev http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/06/26/fabulous-fakes/#comment-123887 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:43:34 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/06/26/fabulous-fakes/#comment-123887 Leslie - The leg waving thing is really quite convincing until you get in close for a good look. To me, these kinds of behavioural adaptations show just how complex the whole mimicry thing as appearance and behaviour work together. - Wayne - I've seen similar behaviour in some other bee and wasp mimic flies, so I think it's part of the whole package. However, this mimic was particularly convincing. You're right about the robber flies being very photogenic and I expect it has a lot to do with their size. Also, I find that when they're in a cooperative mood, they will remain very still while I get the camera in close for a few shots, so that helps. That particular species of Laphria is particularly furry -- yellow fur too, so it's even more striking. Leslie - The leg waving thing is really quite convincing until you get in close for a good look. To me, these kinds of behavioural adaptations show just how complex the whole mimicry thing as appearance and behaviour work together.
-
Wayne - I’ve seen similar behaviour in some other bee and wasp mimic flies, so I think it’s part of the whole package. However, this mimic was particularly convincing. You’re right about the robber flies being very photogenic and I expect it has a lot to do with their size. Also, I find that when they’re in a cooperative mood, they will remain very still while I get the camera in close for a few shots, so that helps. That particular species of Laphria is particularly furry — yellow fur too, so it’s even more striking.

]]>