Jan 22, 2008

Emergent Fly

Igor Siwanowicz, famed macro photographer, has sent me along some of his recent work.

head swells as it emerges and then shrinks down to normal proportions (He has taken to raising flies as mantis fodder, and has noticed that the flies use a "hydro-pneumatics-based procedure to push themselves out of the pupa." The fly'shmm, the benefits of having an inflatable head...). I do something similar when taking off my too-tight jeans. It's equally unattractive.

Note the wrinkly, as-of-yet unhardened wings of the emerged fly. Stretch those wings, little fly. You'll only have a short while before a mantis dines on you.


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is totally revolting, but efficient.

BillyWitchDoctor said...

You want revolting? From the land of Mothra and the McDonald's Teritama Burger (burger topped with a McMuffin egg and teriyaki sauce): Larva Chocolate!

Mmmmmmmyummy.

BillyWitchDoctor said...

...Oh sweet Jeebus (ha HA, sweet, get it?), there's more. While the prospect of mixing chocolate and dried squid is intriguing, I don't think I could eat these li'l cutie-pies. It would be like eating candy puppies.

Anonymous said...

Aww, check out the lil mite who's hanging out on the discarded pupa shell thingy in the "after" photo!

Sup, little dude?