The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

maxandsue · 2016-01-26 20:07:59

We found a larva on a leaf - tried feeding with green fly, it loved 'em! It eventually pupated and emerged as a Marmalade.
Now we are not entomologists, just keen photographers, and have a nice collection of the life history of our marmalade up to its release into the garden.
With a Canon 65mm macro lens, the photos are very detailed - but the newly emerged adult appears to have eggs scattered through its translucent abdomen.
Is that really what they are? Little white dots in clumps....
Thanks.
Max

Jaybee · 2016-01-27 02:35:34

The eggs inside of gravid females can be quite easy to see as in the female M.scalare, P. manicatus and E. balteatus below.

maxandsue · 2016-01-28 17:04:35

Thanks, John. Our specimen was newly emerged from the pupa, and had not yet been returned to the wild - perhaps unfertilized eggs are also visible?
Our Baby! 13 of 16 - Marmalade Series IMG_8271a by foetoebare, on Flickr
[img]https://flic.kr/p/d7mwZ3

Last edited by maxandsue (2016-01-28 17:06:59)

Jaybee · 2016-01-28 18:13:27

I'll ask Roger Morris to take a look at that image. I'm not sure if they "hatch" already with eggs. Possible that they are the eggs of a parasite of course.

Jaybee · 2016-01-29 14:13:40

I'll just quote Rogers response.

""""I rather think what is visible is more likely to be fat bodies given their distribution.

Females generally need a meal of pollen to aid egg production - good source of protein - a bit like mossies needing a blood meal. """"""

maxandsue · 2016-01-30 22:40:49

Thanks John and Roger - perhaps even hoverflies get cellulite!

The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

#1 2016-01-26 20:07:59

Marmalade eggs?

#2 2016-01-27 02:35:34

Re: Marmalade eggs?

#3 2016-01-28 17:04:35

Re: Marmalade eggs?

#4 2016-01-28 18:13:27

Re: Marmalade eggs?

#5 2016-01-29 14:13:40

Re: Marmalade eggs?

#6 2016-01-30 22:40:49

Re: Marmalade eggs?

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