Scorpionflies and Hangingflies (Mecoptera)
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waltraud
wrote:
2 Feb 2024
just from the long legs I'd say it's a Tipulidae (Crane Fly), Diptera but the image is blurred so id is difficult; for Tipulidae see Tipulidae sp. (family)
Harpobittacus australis
MichaelMulvaney
wrote:
14 Dec 2023
The male has presented the bee as a present to the female
Harpobittacus australis
RogerH
wrote:
4 Dec 2023
I looked up information on this species. Fascinating for sure.
From ALA: 'Scorpion Fly males hang on to vegetation by their front legs and use their hindlegs to catch passing insects. The male presents the female with an insect offering before they mate. The female drops cube-shaped eggs on the ground and when the caterpillars (larvae) hatch, they feed on dead insects. They are not true flies. '
Thanks for posting image.
From ALA: 'Scorpion Fly males hang on to vegetation by their front legs and use their hindlegs to catch passing insects. The male presents the female with an insect offering before they mate. The female drops cube-shaped eggs on the ground and when the caterpillars (larvae) hatch, they feed on dead insects. They are not true flies. '
Thanks for posting image.
Harpobittacus australis
