Harpobittacus sp. (genus)

3 Hangingfly at Mount Painter

Harpobittacus sp. (genus) at Mount Painter - 21 Nov 2023
Harpobittacus sp. (genus) at Mount Painter - 21 Nov 2023
Harpobittacus sp. (genus) at Mount Painter - 21 Nov 2023
Harpobittacus sp. (genus) at Mount Painter - 21 Nov 2023
Harpobittacus sp. (genus) at Mount Painter - 21 Nov 2023
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Identification history

Harpobittacus sp. (genus) 28 Nov 2023 MichaelBedingfield
Harpobittacus sp. (genus) 22 Nov 2023 CathB

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User's notes

The main photo shows the point at which the male transfers his 'nuptial gift' (a chironomid midge) to the female. The next two photos show them before this transfer and the last two show the female accepting and then beginning to feed on it. Both hold on to the plants around them with their front legs and manipulate the gift with the back ones. The middle ones seem to help out as required.

2 comments

HelenCross wrote:
   22 Nov 2023
Great series Cath!
CathB wrote:
   22 Nov 2023
Thanks Helen. I only watched them for about three minutes.

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  • 12mm to 25mm Animal size
  • Breeding behaviour Breeding behaviour
  • Alive / healthy Animal health

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  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
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