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Death from above

lasius niger phoridae

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4 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Barristan - Posted June 2 2018 - 11:50 AM

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Could this be any more idyllic for a Lasius niger colony in my garden?

 

IMG 1911

 

I served them sugar water inside a leaf, everything seemed peaceful.

But what is this? A fly is circling above the drinking workers.

 

IMG 1895

 

Suddenly it precipitated to a worker.

 

This fly belongs to the family of Phoridae, tiny flies (under 1 mm in length) which lurk near ant nests, waiting for the moment to strike and lay a leg on the body of an ant. The larvae will then feed on the ant until it is big enough to emerge from the dead ant.


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#2 Offline gcsnelling - Posted June 2 2018 - 12:04 PM

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Excellent



#3 Offline dermy - Posted June 2 2018 - 12:09 PM

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Ah yes Phorid flies, I remember hearing about them being some form of Biological control for Fire Ants.



#4 Offline T.C. - Posted June 2 2018 - 12:15 PM

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Impressive Shot! Well done. Five stars

58738756f3a71010b5e8ef44.png


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“If I am killed for simply living, let death be kinder than man.” -Althea Davis

#5 Offline Barristan - Posted June 2 2018 - 12:37 PM

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Thank you :)







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