Hoverfly Mimicry #1 by Enmos

Photography • Macro • posted on Apr 12, 2005

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Description

Thanks for viewing !! :o) -- Ok, i decided to teach you guys and girls a lesson i hope you'll never forget !! hehehe ;o) I noticed that a lot of people dont know the difference between hoverflies, wasps, bees and bumblebees. That has got to change... dont mind my arrogance here please lol Today's image is a HOVERFLY. Some hoverflies mimic wasps, while others mimic bees or bumblebees. Batesian mimicry in which a harmless hoverfly is coloured like an unpleasant wasp in order to confuse a predator. A predator that has tried to eat a wasp will avoid the hoverfly. Imitation of one species (or group of species) by another. The most common form is Batesian mimicry, where the mimic resembles a model that is poisonous or unpleasant to eat, and has aposematic, or warning, coloration; the mimic thus benefits from the fact that predators have learned to avoid the model. Hoverflies that resemble bees or wasps are an example. Appearance is usually the basis for mimicry, but calls, songs, scents, and other signals can also be mimicked. In Mullerian mimicry, two or more equally poisonous or distasteful species have a similar colour pattern, thereby reinforcing the warning each gives to predators. In some cases, mimicry is not for protection, but allows the mimic to prey on, or parasitize, the model. The difference between the hoverflies and the wasps, bees or bumblebees they mimic is that the hoverflies have only got one pair of wings. Also they hover as their name would suggest. They also have a more flattened abdomen. They dont have the large mouthparts of wasps or bees either. Hoverflies that mimic wasps do not have the taille wasps have. I dont know how to explain it better, its best if you just look and learn the difference. If you are really interested look up 'mimicry' on the net to learn more :o) Here is a link to an image of a wasp i uploaded some time ago, is you'll see the differences are obvious. Wasp Hope you like :o) - Thanks for all your wonderful comments on my last upload, "Rotting-stripped-and-half-eaten-away-tree Texture" !! -- Many thanks, Jeroen

Comments (53)

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zulaan

2:41PM | Tue, 12 April 2005

Lovely colors, lovely light and lovely image !!! ;)

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tibet2004uk

4:16PM | Tue, 12 April 2005

WOW!! Now I'm impressed by the shot and by the lesson!! Thx for both Jeroen, it was a real pleasure to look at and to read! :)

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CDBrugg

4:18PM | Tue, 12 April 2005

the things we learn on RR

shandybob

4:38PM | Tue, 12 April 2005

I don't know the difference - I admit it! I look forward to the lessons!!!! Excellent shot as always my friend!

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Hedepo

4:51PM | Tue, 12 April 2005

A excellent macro and a interesting lesson!! thanks, I will look as from today differently to them!! Henk

jimry

5:28PM | Tue, 12 April 2005

great explanation and suerb shot mate....miss em :)

logiloglu

6:13PM | Tue, 12 April 2005

you are a master,my friend. awesome macro. !!!!!!!! #:O) !!!!!!!!!!

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tizjezzme

8:17PM | Tue, 12 April 2005

Ooooo great macro! Be curious to know what cam you used/lens... its wonderful!

ebsmooth

8:44PM | Tue, 12 April 2005

i'm simply amazed at the quality of your photos, color and clarity are always top notch and this certainly lives up to that standard!!! awesome shot, awesome details!!! very well done!!!

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nongo

9:25PM | Tue, 12 April 2005

Thanks dear teach!!!!! Look forward to tomorrows lesson!!! LOL!!!!

AgentMai

1:19AM | Wed, 13 April 2005

Thankyou for the science lesson, but I'm looking forward to this entire series cuz when taking the pic, its nice to know you're dealing with a harmless hover and not a wasp. Its not a nice mistake to make, for your own safety! Super macro, love the interesting flowers he's having a rest on =)

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jacro

1:19AM | Wed, 13 April 2005

very nice shot,very beautiful colors

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WandM

2:29AM | Wed, 13 April 2005

What ever is its name, a beauty!

Pierre59

3:29AM | Wed, 13 April 2005

Superbe macro, excellent, bravo !!!

Michelle A.

6:03AM | Wed, 13 April 2005

If one takes the time to look and observe, you can see differences. I happen to be a girl who really likes bugs, and crawly things..... as long as they don't bite me! Insect book in my pocket (yes I have one), and a salute on the lesson! :~)

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Richardphotos

6:52PM | Wed, 13 April 2005

very seldom I see any hoverflies here, but many flies. some of my best drawing is flys, everytime you try to eat anything outside. excellent macro and flowers

tvernuccio

9:43PM | Wed, 13 April 2005

clapping look at his cool sunglasses!!!! LOL! ok, hoverflies only have one pair of wings!!! Remember that, Sheila!!!!!!!!! This is just a FABULOUS macro...incredibly detailed as always!!! he's a beauty and i love those flowers he's sittin' on!!!!! Fantastic work and thanks a bunch professor Enmos! :)

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Lledeline

5:58AM | Thu, 14 April 2005

Great macro

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sossy

6:10PM | Thu, 14 April 2005

gorgeous macro and fantastic composed and fresh colored! what a beautiful spring impression! hey, professor Enmos is back from his winter sleep! LOL

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jcv2

3:51AM | Fri, 15 April 2005

There's only one way to explain it even better, that is inviting RR-members on a tour in nature and showing us the differences live! :) Wonderful work, Jeroen, very educative! rolls with eyes You would be a great teacher! Outstanding work!

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