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

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Comments

Photo_Freak says:

Amazing.

Found in Nikkor (Pool)
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

yadavop says:

Excellent shot, amazing details.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

David Lev says:

Amazing.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Dave - aka Emptybelly says:

great macro!!

(1-2-3 Nature)
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Anikó says:

Good job!
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Walwyn says:

Wonderful.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

piscochile says:

Excellent shot, to many details...great
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Martin LaBar (going on hiatus) says:

Wow!

(1-2-3 Nature)
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken in Krugersdorp, Gauteng (map)
Taken on June 23, 2006
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