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Bittacus chlorostigma - Green Stigma Hangingfly
Mecoptera: Bittacidae
Northern California, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2005

Hangingflies are generalist predators of other insects.  Here a male carpenter ant has fallen prey and is being held by the long, grasping hind tarsi of the predator.

 
USA CA: Nevada Co.  Empire Mine State Historic Park, Grass Valley.  14.v.2005  39º12.89'N 121º02.51'W, 760m.
Riparian meadow.

This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS D60, with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens.