Chestnut and Dark Chestnut can be a bit confusing.
Here is a comparison pic of both together.
These were in the trap this morning, both are fresh and well marked and easy to tell apart. Note the shape of wing tips, not so easy when worn as Chestnut (left) can be much darker and worn wing tips on Dark Chestnut can appear to be rounded but Dark usually looks more boat shaped and Chestnut appears more compact and broader.
Chestnut (left) and Dark Chestnut |
Heart and Dart ... 23rd Oct 2014 |
Green-brindled Crescent f. capucina |
It is new for my garden, anyone know what it is ?
Cheers Stewart, thanks to your comment I've now checked the interweb and found the cause.
Entomophthora muscae, a fungal disease that affects fly species.
Quote from wikipedia
"When it is critically ill, it tends to crawl to a high point, straighten its hind legs and open its wings, a behaviour that ensures that the fungal spores are dispersed as widely as possible"
As can be seen on my example, straight legs and opened wings.
I had a fly exactly like that the other night. I think it is parasitised by a fungi infection?
ReplyDeleteThanks Stewart, you are spot on, I've updated the blog post
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