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Index of Subjects
Index of Subjects --_000_264365FE7EDD4DC0A5CC9CA59BE4AC80dalca_ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable It doesn=92t look like two species but instead a gradation of just one, exp= lained by the ones nearest the camera subtending a larger angle at the lens= and so appearing bigger. They are flying so fast that you can=92t see any= detail except that the nearer ones look a bit yellowish. I=92d guess they= are a species of fly. A number of true flies (Diptera) from quite different phylogenetic levels t= ypically assemble at the highest local point, known as =91hilltopping', whe= re the males form swarms and females fly through the pack to be pursued by = males for mating. Well known examples are some bibionids (sometimes called= 'March flies=92 in Britain from their early appearance, when it=92s too co= ld here) from the ancient end of the Diptera, and some empidids (=91dance f= lies=92) from about half way up. Trees are not useful =97 you=92d need still photos of individual insects to= have any hope of identifying even whether they are dipterans or something = else. Take a net or even a fly swatter next time? Steve (Hfx) On Jun 12, 2016, at 8:55 PM, Paul Ruggles <cpruggles@eastlink.ca<mailto:cpr= uggles@eastlink.ca>> wrote: Thanks Paul and Andrew. It was not over water. It was along a paved road at Mason's point at the to= p of a hill that overlooked Saint Margarets Bay. Would the identity of the = trees be of any help? Paul R. On 2016-06-12, at 6:45 PM, rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca<mailto:rita.paul@ns.sy= mpatico.ca> wrote: Well Paul there is not much to go by. Cann't tell if its over water or not. It could be a swarm of mating Caddis flies with the difference in size been the difference in sexs. Enjoy the spring Paul > On June 12, 2016 at 5:08 PM Paul Ruggles <cpruggles@eastlink.ca<mailto:cp= ruggles@eastlink.ca>> wrote: > > > Hi all, > > Can anyone tell what is going on with this video of a swarm of flies I to= ok on my last jaunt in the woods? There appears to be two species - one lar= ger and fewer, and one smaller and much larger. > The video is in my drop box below. > Paul. > > > > > https://www.dropbox.com/s/oo1m4zrx8huszek/fly%20swarm.mov?dl=3D0 --_000_264365FE7EDD4DC0A5CC9CA59BE4AC80dalca_ Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-ID: <4876C486590D2C4AAF0F2CB6CDB6BCA4@namprd03.prod.outlook.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <html> <head> <meta http-equiv=3D"Content-Type" content=3D"text/html; charset=3DWindows-1= 252"> </head> <body style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-lin= e-break: after-white-space;"> It doesn=92t look like two species but instead a gradation of just one, exp= lained by the ones nearest the camera subtending a larger angle at the lens= and so appearing bigger. They are flying so fast that you can=92t se= e any detail except that the nearer ones look a bit yellowish. I=92d guess they are a species of fly. <div><br> <div>A number of true flies (Diptera) from quite different phylogenetic lev= els typically assemble at the highest local point, known as =91hilltopping'= , where the males form swarms and females fly through the pack to be pursue= d by males for mating. Well known examples are some bibionids (sometimes called 'March flies=92 in Britain f= rom their early appearance, when it=92s too cold here) from the ancient end= of the Diptera, and some empidids (=91dance flies=92) from about half way = up.</div> <div>Trees are not useful =97 you=92d need still photos of individual insec= ts to have any hope of identifying even whether they are dipterans or somet= hing else. Take a net or even a fly swatter next time?</div> <div>Steve (Hfx)</div> <div> </div> <div> <div> <div>On Jun 12, 2016, at 8:55 PM, Paul Ruggles <<a href=3D"mailto:cprugg= les@eastlink.ca">cpruggles@eastlink.ca</a>> wrote:</div> <br class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline"> <blockquote type=3D"cite"> <div style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line= -break: after-white-space; "> Thanks Paul and Andrew. <div>It was not over water. It was along a paved road at Mason's point at t= he top of a hill that overlooked Saint Margarets Bay. Would the identity of= the trees be of any help?</div> <div>Paul R.<br> <div><br> <div> <div>On 2016-06-12, at 6:45 PM, <a href=3D"mailto:rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca= ">rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca</a> wrote:</div> <br class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline"> <blockquote type=3D"cite"> <div style=3D""> <div><span style=3D"font-size: 14pt;">Well Paul there is not much to go by.= </span> </div> <div><span style=3D"font-size: 14pt;">Cann't tell if its over water or not.= <br> </span></div> <div><span style=3D"font-size: 14pt;">It could be a swarm of mating Caddis = flies with<br> </span></div> <div><span style=3D"font-size: 14pt;">the difference in size been the diffe= rence in sexs.<br> </span></div> <div><span style=3D"font-size: 14pt;">Enjoy the spring<br> </span></div> <div><span style=3D"font-size: 14pt;">Paul<br> </span></div> <div> </div> <div><br> > On June 12, 2016 at 5:08 PM Paul Ruggles <<a href=3D"mailto:cpruggl= es@eastlink.ca">cpruggles@eastlink.ca</a>> wrote: <br> > <br> > <br> > Hi all, <br> > <br> > Can anyone tell what is going on with this video of a swarm of flies I= took on my last jaunt in the woods? There appears to be two species - one = larger and fewer, and one smaller and much larger. <br> > The video is in my drop box below. <br> > Paul. <br> > <br> > <br> > <br> > <br> > <a href=3D"https://www.dropbox.com/s/oo1m4zrx8huszek/fly%20swarm.mov?d= l=3D0">https://www.dropbox.com/s/oo1m4zrx8huszek/fly%20swarm.mov?dl=3D0</a> </div> </div> </blockquote> </div> <br> </div> <