Date: October 17th, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Neatby Building, 960 Carling Avenue, Central Experimental Farm
Come see an illustrated talk by Kevin Moran.
The fly family Syrphidae, the flower flies or hover flies, vary in appearance more than any other fly family. Some, like Sphegina, are small, slender mimics of wasps while others, such as Mallota, mimic bumble bees. This talk will try to answer questions about mimicry, and the evolution of mimicry in this family of flies.
Why has this mimicry evolved in Syrphidae: does it deter predation by vertebrates or is it better explained by another theory? Why are some species poor mimics while others match their model in detail? What adaptations have syrphids developed to enable mimicry and is this mimicry of Hymenoptera purely physical? Finally, we will examine the state of mimicry in subtribe Criorhinina which includes many of the most spectacular mimics.
More info: Hume Douglas 613-759-7128, or Vasily Grebennikov 613-759-7519
The Ottawa Entolmology Club holds monthly meetings at the Central Experimental Farm. They are free of charge and open to anyone interested in insects.