Matthias Lenke
Snow fly / Schneefliege / Chionea sp.
I found this insect (body length about 3 mm) under rotting leaves few days ago. At first I thought it would be a strange-looking spider, because it went like a spider. At home I took a closer look and I was surprised by the head-shape and the halteres. After some research on the internet I would identify this creature as a female Chionea sp., commonly called snow flies.
Some facts: Adults occur during winter, where they can be observed walking over snow. They produce glycerol in their hemolymph, preventing them from freezing. The winglessness of the genus is probably attributable to the fact that at sub-freezing temperatures, it is very hard to generate enough energy for maintaining flight muscles. Also, the space normally taken by flight muscles is used to store eggs. However, the halteres have not been reduced and are innervated, thus probably serving as sensory organs.
All images are single shots taken with the MP-E and twin flash MT-24.
Snow fly / Schneefliege / Chionea sp.
I found this insect (body length about 3 mm) under rotting leaves few days ago. At first I thought it would be a strange-looking spider, because it went like a spider. At home I took a closer look and I was surprised by the head-shape and the halteres. After some research on the internet I would identify this creature as a female Chionea sp., commonly called snow flies.
Some facts: Adults occur during winter, where they can be observed walking over snow. They produce glycerol in their hemolymph, preventing them from freezing. The winglessness of the genus is probably attributable to the fact that at sub-freezing temperatures, it is very hard to generate enough energy for maintaining flight muscles. Also, the space normally taken by flight muscles is used to store eggs. However, the halteres have not been reduced and are innervated, thus probably serving as sensory organs.
All images are single shots taken with the MP-E and twin flash MT-24.