Myrmecos

Answer to the Monday Night Mystery

Posted by Alex Wild on June 30, 2010
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i-deaa357eee6ca9aea3f84cf2c1bcccf1-Loxocera1.jpg

Loxocera cylindrica rust fly (Diptera: Psilidae)
Urbana, Illinois

The unmistakable antennae on these amorous insects mark them as psilid flies, and commentator Chris Grinter (of The Skeptical Moth) correctly surmised the species as Loxocera cylindrica. Nine points to Chris, and one to FormicidaeFantasy who was the first to pick the order.

This brings us to the end of June and to the announcement of the overall mystery points winner for the month:

Ted MacRae, of the excellent entomology blog Beetles in the Bush, has accumulated ten points and is entitled to either a guest blog post here on Myrmecos, or to an 8×10 print from my galleries. Drop me a line and we’ll get you hooked up, Ted.

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Comments

  1. #1 Warren
    June 30, 2010

    Fantastic job on the mystery, Alex! More please!

  2. #2 Kidudu
    June 30, 2010

    I’d like to suggest that for every point someone gains, their name is entered into a drawing. I don’t bother answering the few things I might know because I can’t run with the big boys and girls. Why bother getting a point for the order when I’ll be in 100th place…? I REALLY want a print from your gallery though!

  3. #3 Ted C. MacRae
    July 1, 2010

    Yeah for me! I’ll be in touch.

    Where on earth did you find those flies? I’ve never seen them or even heard of them. The mating pair photo is about as good as a photo can possibly be.

  4. #4 Birger Johansson
    July 1, 2010

    Since insects (and all other animals) are affected by these disruptions, I am forwarding this news item:
    ” ‘Trophic cascades’ of disruption may include loss of woolly mammoth, saber-toothed cat”
    http://www.physorg.com/news197124739.html

  5. #5 Chris Grinter
    July 1, 2010

    Ohhh so close to catching Ted… next month… long as you can post more obscure flies, or better yet, an obscure lep!