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Photo#737376
Lachesilla yucateca Mockford - Lachesilla yucateca - male

Lachesilla yucateca Mockford - Lachesilla yucateca - Male
San Marcos Nature Center, Hays County, Texas, USA
January 11, 2013
Size: 1.7 mm
This little guy was caught on switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). It was described by Dr. Mockford in 2002: Taxonomy of the species of the Lachesilla Rena complex; Ent. News 113(3):103-112, 2002. The males in this complex have an extremely long narrow epiproct that lies on the dorsal surface of the abdomen. You can't see it in this photograph. As I was focusing on this male, he started waving his epiproct up and down. Morkford and I have wondered if the epiproct might be used in some mating dance. With a species this small it would be very difficult- but I'd really love to videotape the mating ritual of this one!