<< Previous Next >>

Black Fly.


Black Fly.
Photo Information
Copyright: Luis Leal (Luis52) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-20
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D80, 55mm Micro Nikkor f2.8
Exposure: f/11, 1/400 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Alex99's favorite shots [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-09-09 17:16
Viewed: 1217
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Tachinidae is a large and rather variable family of true flies within the insect order Diptera, with more than 8,200 known species and many more to be discovered. There are over 1300 species in North America. Insects in this family are commonly called tachina flies, or simply "tachinids".

They occur in almost all habitats all over the world. There are Neotropical, Nearctic, Afrotropical[1], Palaearctic, Oriental, Australasian and Oceanic species.

A typical characteristic of this family is the fact that most of them are parasitoids (the larvae develop inside a living host, ultimately killing it), and a few are parasitic (do not kill the host). Larvae are endoparasites (internal parasites) of caterpillars of butterflies and moths, adult and larval beetles, sawfly larvae, various types of true bugs and grasshoppers, rarely in centipedes, with usually only one grub. Only a few species are host species-specific. As such, many are important natural enemies of major pests. Some species are being used in biological pest control. Many important pests are suppressed by tachinids. Many species of tachinid flies have been introduced into North America from their native lands as biocontrols to suppress populations of alien pests.


Archytas Species Tachinid flies are however regarded as pests by silkworm rearers. One particularly noted species is the Uzi fly (Exorista bombycis).

Reproductive strategies are highly variable between species. The female may lay her white oval eggs on the skin of the host insect, or insert the egg into the host's body, or leave them in the host's environment, as for example on leaves, where the host will ingest them. Some tachinids that are parasitoids of stem-boring caterpillars deposit eggs outside the host's burrow, letting the larvae do the work of finding the host itself. In other species, the maggots use an ambush technique, waiting for the host to pass and then attacking it and burrowing into its body. The larvae feed on the host tissues, causing death, except in some rare parasitic species.

Tachinid flies are extremely varied in appearance. Adult flies may be brilliantly colored and then resemble blow-flies (family Calliphoridae), or rather drab, and then resemble house flies. But tachinid flies are more bristly and more robust. They have three-segmented antennae, a diagnostically prominent postscutellum bulging beneath the scutellum (a segment of the mesonotum), bare (sometimes plumose) arista. The calypters (small flaps above the halteres) are usually very large. Their fourth long vein bends away sharply.

Adult flies feed on flowers and nectar from aphids and scales. As many species typically feed on pollen, they can be important pollinators of some plants, especially at higher elevations in mountains where bees decrease in numbers.

The taxonomy of this family presents many difficulties. It is largely based on morphological characters of the adult flies, but also on reproductive habits and the immature stage.

From Wikipedia.

Saludos
Luis52.
lovenature, jaycee, eqshannon, Jamesp, uleko, Juyona, SelenE, JoseMiguel, gracious, jrobertop, boreocypriensis, Alex99 has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2008-09-09 17:38]

Hello Luis! A perfect macro my friend, everything in that shot is well controled: The sharpness, exposure and composition, well done my friend!

Mario

Hi Luis
I've never seen such a good close up of a fly before. It's amazing to see all of the tiny hairs so clearly. Excellent DOF, colour and composition. Interesting notes too.
TFS Janice

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-09-09 19:00]

Hola Primo,

What an amazing macro of this fly! Perfect details of the entire insect. I can't believe all the little hairs! Wonderful pose on the pretty flower. Background and composition are superb.

Jane

Hi Luis,
This is a detailed macro with agreeable tones of colors and perfect exposure. I would have composed it a little less centered but this is a very minor nit and question of personal taste. Greetings,
Claudine

Gee Luis you sure put that Nikon at it's best. I was not aware that such good quality could come....no I go look at lens...BRB...dang..and its the stock 55 MM too...holy cow...Nikon rules I'll tell ya that...You have mastered it well and this image shows why!
bob

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 567 W: 94 N: 1194] (4878)
  • [2008-09-09 22:00]

hi luis,
what a beautiful creature this fly, well captured. good composition and on the pretty flower it looks more beautiful. simple and effective. tfs.
nagraj.v

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16524)
  • [2008-09-09 22:42]

Hi Luis

Excellent work here - superb pose with wonderful details and lighting.

James

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3001 W: 162 N: 989] (2897)
  • [2008-09-09 23:10]

Hello Luis,
Excellent capture of this common Fly stting nicely on the flower. Great sharpness, good light and fine colours. It looks very good against the plain soft background.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2267 W: 10 N: 2646] (15625)
  • [2008-09-09 23:21]

Hola amigo,
sorprendentes detalles y nitidez,
perfecto trabajo,
saludos Luis hasta otra.

Bonjour,
Un bel équilibre.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2008-09-10 0:54]

Hola amigo,
Lighting, color tones, background, POV, details, sharpness and composition look so nice. Gracias
Un saludo,
Selen

Hello Luis,

Excellent sharp picture of this fly. Splendid composition. Great exposure and colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

Hola Luis,
Extraordinario macro de esta mosca.
El trabajo de iluminacion, exposición y enfoque son excelentes, y producen todos esos ricos y nítidos detalles en el insecto.
Me gusta la profundidad de campo, que con ese fondo difuso aísla perfectamente el sujeto.
Magnífica foto y gracias por compartirla.
Un gran saludo,
JM

Hi Luis

Brilliant shot of this common fly. Excellent sharpness, details and composition. Great DOF, POV and neautral background.

Chris

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2008-09-10 6:48]

Hello Luis Lovely shot and what a clarity. I can see the hairs very clearly. Excellent shot. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 94 N: 5564] (17694)
  • [2008-09-10 7:15]

Hello Luis,
Amazing macro in perfect sharpness. Exposure and colours are splendid. Great composition and OOF BG.
Kind regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2008-09-10 12:24]

Hola Luis,
this is a fantastic capture.
Very sharp with great detail.
The composition is very good.

Well done,

Joe

Hola Luis,
Como esta usted!
Great macro shot with perfect closeness of it!
good use of flash to brings out the total sharpness, very nice colour and superb details of the Black Fly!
well done
muchas gracias
Saludos su familia
amigo Tony

Hola Luis,
another great macro from flies. All details visible. Composition with yellow flower and plain BG great as like focus, POV and lighting. Gracias y saludos amigo.
Ahmet

Hi Luis, nice to see you again! Great macro shot of this tachinid fly with wonderful details, lighting and framing. Great notes too.
Many thanks for sharing this my friend!
Have a nice day!
Cheers,

Bayram

Hola Luis.
It is a super macro!
Really a beautiful register photographic!
Fantastic sharpness and excellent details.
A work worthy of attention!
Congratulations!
Regards,
José Roberto

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3591 W: 143 N: 5691] (18607)
  • [2008-09-11 10:09]

Hi Luis.
Outstanding macro picture. I like all in it. Despite I do not like flies this case is exclusive. Fantastic sharpness and details of the insect and flower. So great exposure and reproduction of all different colour tones. POV and composition of the image cannot be better. BG is unusual and fine. Bravo. Superb job.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • izler Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 1399 W: 3 N: 30] (506)
  • [2008-09-11 12:42]

merhaba Luis
wonderful close-up capture
composition, POV, blurred BG, DOF, light, colours, sharpness and details are great
TFS
regards
izler

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF