Fly eating wasp

puzzledpaul · Post by **puzzledpaul** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:21 am

Noticed what I thought was a slightly larger / longer fly than usual in garden whilst wandering around having morning caffeine fix.

Closer inspection revealed this cameo taking place

Consecutive frames, albeit one with flash blip.

1800x2700crop
10D + 200mm FD macro
550ex flash + foil reflector
Tripod etc

Don't have info to hand but think
1/80, iso 400, aperture unrecorded

pp

edit
Prey still alive here, btw ...

edit2
Corrected title in view of prey ID from Betty + Doug ... Thx

salden · Post by **salden** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:33 am

Excellent images. Every living thing must eat, but I prefer my meals dead before I dine, but that is a personal preference.

Planapo · Post by **Planapo** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:32 am

Nice and interesting shots, Paul!
From #1 to #2 it seems one can watch the predaceous fly´s abdomen swelling while it is imbibing the juices of the little wasp. And accordingly, the wasp´s pronotum seems to collapse. This happens as the fly injects its saliva containing enzymes that liquify the tissue inside the wasp. And then when the fly sucks out the "soup" a slight vacuum is generated that lets the body of the wasp collapse.

Cheers,
Betty

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:41 am

Amazing photos Paul. I can hear the slurping sound from here..Burrrrrrp

. I agree with Betty with the meal being a small wasp of some kind. A real action shot.

puzzledpaul · Post by **puzzledpaul** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 2:03 pm

Thanks to all for the comments and also Betty + Doug for correcting my schoolboy 'howler' ... I didn't give the title much thought,

<< but I prefer my meals dead before I dine >>
Am unlikely to argue with that - esp. as have been vegetarian for 20+ yrs ...

pp

Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 2:46 pm

Interesting and well executed photos Paul (and an interesting analysis by Betty too). There really is quite a noticable change in the shape of the predatory fly's abdomen isn't there.

I wonder if this is the first/only time that this particular species of fly has been photographed eating this particular species of wasp?

Bruce

puzzledpaul · Post by **puzzledpaul** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:33 pm

<< I wonder if ... >>

Well, I certainly wouldn't have a clue, Bruce - I just assumed, as they were seen in a 'typical' urban(ish) back garden, that they're both common species.

I was just happy to be around to witness it and have a go at trying to take a half decent pic

Thanks for the comments, btw.

pp