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The further proceeding of the approach depends on the readiness of the female to mate. The couple may stop its ritual, repeat the phases gone through or proceed to the next step. Most often, the latter happens: the male leaps onto the female with an amazing precision: the claws of his front legs hook on the wing base of the female, while his hind legs hug her yellow belly. |
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With her partner on top, the female spreads her wings apart and continues to dance in circles. Occasionally, she stops, starts again or turns the other way. At one time, without any obvious reason the male spreads its middle legs apart and keeps them like that for a while. After the female has turned a few times, he takes them in again. This part of the ritual is not only known of Platystoma, but also of other flies. |
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Photographs by José Verkest, text by Maria Pfeifer |
