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Photo#568580
Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - female

Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - Female
Colton, vic N. Pepper Avenue, San Bernardino County, California, USA
August 25, 2011
Extended series showing female ovipositing -- I wonder if this has ever been recorded photographically or on video before. I took some video, as well. Female observed from 5:00 to 5:15 p.m.; ovipositing may have continued after my period of observation ceased. Temperature was around 105 degrees F. The female walked around dragging the tip of the abdomen, and periodically buried up to half her body, ovipositing for periods of about 10-45 seconds. After perhaps 10 minutes of this, the female stood still and pumped something I couldn't see out of the tip of the abdomen (while not buried). Pretty wild.

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Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - female Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - female Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - female Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - female Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - female Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - female Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - female Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - female Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - female Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - female Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly - Rhaphiomidas terminatus - female