You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
Hello
I love taking photos to the bugs. I found this little one, with an out of ordinary sexual behavior. He opens its abdomen and pulls out those white... horns(?). After the alluring of the female he pulls them back. Do they contain feromons? Is it the white that is appealing?
Who is he?
Thank you
These look like scuttle flies (family Phoridae); the odd structure is on the female, not the male - it may function in getting the male into position; possibly through a feeding attractant? (Just a guess)
I'm not sure. As this species has such a wide distribution and is so commonly encountered, I am very puzzled that no one seems to have noticed/reported that odd structure before.
Hello
Thank you
I narrowed even more. It seems it is Phalacrotophora fasciata. Ant this cute odd little thing is a pest for ladybugs. Shame on it!
What do you think?
