very small fly cleaning its head

[DanK]

Since there has been some discussion of the behavior of flies over the past couple of days, I thought I would post this sequence, even though it is a year or two old. This fly was quite small, considerably thinner and somewhat shorter than a housefly. I found it standing on a sprig of yarrow. I posted it on a macro forum, and a retired biologist explained that some species of flies do this sort of apparent head cleaning quite often. The second to last shot shows the proboscis, although not extended. The last shot is the only bottoms-up shot of a fly's mouth I have ever captured.

C&C welcome, as always.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Nicks Pics]

I have seen bugs do that many times. It is remarkable, isn't it, that even a small bug should have such practices?

The shots turned out pretty well.

[NorthernFocus]

Nice set. Incredible detail you macro guys capture. I'd like to see a shot of the little flies up here that the natives call "white socks" for the white on their feet. They bite and when they do so to me I swell up and ultimately end up with a sore that takes a month or so to heal.

Cleaning itself? Unable to communicate with them, even the most educated among us can only speculate on what the behavior truly is. Maybe the little buggers are so filthy that they're trying to rub dirt from their feet/legs all over their heads

[Nicks Pics]

It very well could be something equivalent to the way birds oil their feathers by preening, but don't know?

[deetheturk]

Wonderful set Dan, whatever it is doing we have the same type of fly here, the first time I came across one I thought it was sick or ready to die

Cheers David

[bnnrcn]

Very nice series Dan

[DanK]

Thanks, all. I have to admit that flies were not one of the insects I thought interesting before I started macro, but macro changed all that.

If any of you are interested, yesterday I found an interesting online source (well, interesting to me): an interactive anatomical atlas of flies. It's at http://www.ento.csiro.au/biology/fly/flyGlossary.html.

[deetheturk]

Thanks for the link Dan, very interesting to me also

Cheers David

[wilgk]

Really impressive work, well done

[Wavelength]

Classic set

[Slipper]

Very good set, the yellow sets the fly off I think.

[Stagecoach]

Interesting series Dan these guys are wonderful subjects. I doubt if many people have captured the mouth as in No 4.

Grahame

[DanK]

Thanks, everyone.