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Subgenus Pachyconops (Physoconops Subgenus Pachyconops)
Photo#576617
Copyright © 2011
Robert A. Behrstock
Conopinae -
Physoconops
-
Lower Ash Canyon, W of Hwy 92, Hereford, Cochise County, Arizona, USA
September 14, 2011
Butterfly garden, 5,010' elev. Oak-grassland interface, SE Huachuca Mts. This individual was nectaring on frogfruit.
Images of this individual:
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Contributed by
Robert A. Behrstock
on 15 September, 2011 - 12:18am
Last updated 6 June, 2014 - 12:40pm
Moved
Moved from
Physoconops
.
This interesting specimen poses a strange taxonomic puzzle that does
not
key or place well!! For details, see comments under post below:
…
Aaron Schusteff
, 13 January, 2014 - 1:00am
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Thanks
Aaron; I always get a kick out of seeing these in the yard. Best, RAB
…
Robert A. Behrstock
, 30 December, 2013 - 9:07am
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Your welcome, Bob
BTW, this is a female...you can tell from the "theca" jutting out from below the 5th sternite in your 2nd image. In subgenus
Pachyconops
of
Physoconops
(which this is) the theca of females is often quite noticebly longer than that in
Physocephala
(as are the 3rd antennal segments). The theca is used to help grasp and pry open the tergites of the unfortunate bee or wasp host as the conopid attempts to insert an egg...all done while in flight!! (Or perhaps after tumbling to the ground.)
Also, if you get the opportunity, try to get a frontal shot of their faces, which give lots of diagnostic characters for ID. I know it's often difficult, because they're more likely to flee when you approach closely from the front...but if they're engrossed in feeding on a flower, and you first stalk gingerly from the back or side...then slowly circle around to view the face, it's sometimes do-able. (Especially if you get a cooperative one :-)
…
Aaron Schusteff
, 30 December, 2013 - 3:39pm
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Moved
Moved from
Conopinae
.
…
Aaron Schusteff
, 29 December, 2013 - 9:18am
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