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When approaching for the first time, the female
and male sit next to one another, at some distance,
opposite, that is, with their head towards the hind end of the
partner.
With small steps they move around each other, which is the beginning of the mating ritual. |
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After a while, they allow for more closeness: the distance becomes smaller. The couple continues to walk around each other in circles. At some time, they stop, and the female turns her yellow belly upward towards the male. He touches her hind part with his proboscis, and keeps in touch for a little while. |
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Belly kiss? Cunnilingus?
Whatever words are chosen to describe this behaviour, it is another step in the complicated mating ritual of these flies to proceed in their approach. Probably, this is also a way for the female to chemically communicate with the male. |
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The Star of the Flies | Getting Closer | Dancing (1) | Dancing (2) |
| Flirting | Kissing | Mating | ...Bye! |
Photographs by José Verkest, text by Maria Pfeifer |