Cover Your Eyes - _TNY_5954
I've noticed many times now that when flies are mating, the male puts his feet over the eyes of the female and I wonder why they do this. Is it a way to reduce her visual stimulus to prevent her from leaving or something?
This is from an early September trip (of 2023) to Åva-Stensjödal in Tyresta National Park, Sweden,, the weather was just a little too cold for the bugs to be out and about in any numbers.
I did find these two kite-tailed robberflies (Tolmerus atricapillus) which were getting it on on this leaf. Part 1 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53289737206/
Part 2 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53610995185/
After a couple of photos I accidentally scared them and they took off - still coupled. Flying like that was apparently a bit difficult though so they made a u-turn and landed on my finger instead - which looked like this: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53198987496/
Cover Your Eyes - _TNY_5954
I've noticed many times now that when flies are mating, the male puts his feet over the eyes of the female and I wonder why they do this. Is it a way to reduce her visual stimulus to prevent her from leaving or something?
This is from an early September trip (of 2023) to Åva-Stensjödal in Tyresta National Park, Sweden,, the weather was just a little too cold for the bugs to be out and about in any numbers.
I did find these two kite-tailed robberflies (Tolmerus atricapillus) which were getting it on on this leaf. Part 1 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53289737206/
Part 2 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53610995185/
After a couple of photos I accidentally scared them and they took off - still coupled. Flying like that was apparently a bit difficult though so they made a u-turn and landed on my finger instead - which looked like this: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53198987496/