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Eristalis tenax
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Tanja Almazan (sily)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 238 W: 6 N: 391]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (1893) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2007-04-06 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Camera: Canon PowerShot A710 IS |
| Exposure: f/4, 1/1000 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2007-04-17 17:31 |
| Viewed: 578 |
| Points: 6 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The adult of Eristalis tenax (common name: Dronefly) in appearance bears a close resemblance to a honeybee. The larva of the Drone-Fly feeds on decaying organic material in stagnant water in small ponds, ditches and drains. Such water usually contains little or no oxygen and the larva breathes through the long thin tube that extends from its rear end to the surface of the water and that gives it its common name of ‘rat-tailed maggot’.
There have been recorded cases of human infecting with "rat tail maggot" larvae which lived inside intestines and caused myiasis- for part of their life cycle, the larvae feed on dead or living tissue or the ingested food of the host.Pseudomyiasis is the term used for deposition of maggots on faeces immediately after they are passed. Recognition of dead larvae in stool also comes into this category, as host infestation has not been established.
A few patients with intestinal myiasis with drone fly larvae have been described, with the mode of infestation presumed to be consumption of water or food contaminated with fly larvae or eggs.
The adult fly that emerges from the pupa is harmless. It looks somewhat like a drone honey bee, and likely gains some degree of protection from this resemblance to a stinging insect. The adults are called drone flies because of this resemblance. They, like other hover flies, are common visitors to flowers, especially in late summer and autumn, and can be significant pollinators.
In its natural habitat, E. tenax is more of a curiosity than a problem, and the adults are beneficial pollinators. Drone flies have never been implicated as disease vectors and usually do not become a problem provided sewage and manure are not allowed to accumulate in pits, ponds, or streams. |
Alex99, Perro has marked this note useful
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- Alex99
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3585 W: 143 N: 5669]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(18533) - [2007-04-18 10:28]
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Hi Tanja.
Your composition is very nice. I like luxurious flowers. You managed to reflect their beauty excellently. Lighting and colours are soft and impressive as well as the very good details. Hoverfly is looked nicely too. Picture is well framed (I also like blue spots of the sky), composed and exposed. True spring shot, which is full of life. My compliments and TFS.
Alexei.
Hi Tanja, amazing macro of splendid bee on wonderful flowers, great colors and lovely details, very well done, have a nice week end.
Ciao Silvio
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- Perro
![Silver Star Critiquer [C: 41 W: 0 N: 59]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-n.gif)
(553) - [2007-04-30 12:11]
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Hello Sily,
Great macro photo very well composed!
Excellent point of view, lighting and colors are very nice.
Good sharpness. I like the transparency and details of the wings.
The picture is very framed.
Congradulations!
Janette
