Microdon tristis (Diptera: Syrphidae): notes on biology with a new ant host record from British Columbia

Authors

  • R.A. Cannings Royal British Columbia Museum
  • B. Kelly-McArthur None
  • J.H. Skevington Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • R.J. Higgins Thompson Rivers University
  • J.F. Gibson Royal British Columbia Museum

Abstract

None.

A female goldenrod crab spider (Misumena vatia) on a prickly rose (Rosa acicularis) that just captured a caterpillar in the River Valley of Edmonton on 13 June 2021. Goldenrod crab spiders are widely distributed across Canada and are commonly encountered in open areas patiently sitting on flowers waiting for prey to approach. Although pollinators (flies, butterflies, bees, hoverflies, etc.) are a significant component of their diet, they also take the opportunity to feed on other invertebrates. The photo was taken by Jaime Pinzon whose son spent half an hour watching the spider and exclaimed “Oh, the kiss of death!”, when the spider finally met its prey.

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Published

2022-02-02

Issue

Vol. 118 (2021): Vol. 118 (2021): Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia

Section

Natural History & Observations

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