Blow Fly & Ants on Stapelia gigantea flower
Blow Fly pollinating Stapelia gigantea flower, and the Ants stealing the maggot eggs.
Stapeliads attract flies for pollination, as they are more abundant in the deserts than bees. It is a game of deception, as the fly thinks the flower is a good host for the little maggots to feed on. The flower is obviously not really food, and like most desert flowers, the flower only lasts 2-3 days. The ants are cashing in on the deal though... Here are a few additional pictures: Here is a picture of Stapelia gigantea (one of the largest Stapeliad flowers): Stapelia gigantea flower Here is a Quicktime Time-Lapse movie of flies pollinating Stapelia gigantea: Flies pollinating Stapelia gigantea Time-Lapse movie Here are some fly macro photos taken on Stapelia gigantea: Fly on Stapelia gigantea 1 Fly on Stapelia gigantea 2 Fly on Stapelia gigantea 3 Enjoy..! Martin - Stapeliad & Asclepiad Group All things beautiful in Nature Group The World Up-Close (Nature Macro) Group Stapeliads - Hidden Treasures of the Desert CommentsDave - aka Emptybelly says:great macro!! piscochile
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Photo_Freak says:
Amazing.
Found in Nikkor (Pool)
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )