more about the aphid situation in Boulder

[DAVID A LEATHERMAN]

I received wonderful photos of both the current Boulder prothonotary and northern parula with FLIES in their beaks.  Flies from a few families (Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Tachinidae, Sarcophagidae, Syrphidae, others) regularly or at least occasionally seek out aphid honeydew deposited on plant surfaces.  Aphids are tiny.  Most of the honeydew-seeking insects are bigger.  So, while aphids may be initial target and overriding staple of late-migrating insectivorous birds (along with midges), the aphid-associated insects are welcome gravy they don't ignore.

Dave Leatherman

Fort Collins

[Sebastian Patti]

" . . . the aphid-associated insects are welcome gravy they don't ignore."

Pure poetry, Dave!

sebasti...@hotmail.com
Sebastian T. Patti
552 W. Belden Ave.

Chicago, ILLINOIS 60614-3354 

CELL: 773/304-7488

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From: cob...@googlegroups.com <cob...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleat...@msn.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 9, 2022 4:09 PM
To: COBIRDS <cob...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [cobirds] more about the aphid situation in Boulder

 

I received wonderful photos of both the current Boulder prothonotary and northern parula with FLIES in their beaks.  Flies from a few families (Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Tachinidae, Sarcophagidae, Syrphidae, others) regularly or at least occasionally seek out aphid honeydew deposited on plant surfaces.  Aphids are tiny.  Most of the honeydew-seeking insects are bigger.  So, while aphids may be initial target and overriding staple of late-migrating insectivorous birds (along with midges), the aphid-associated insects are welcome gravy they don't ignore.

Dave Leatherman

Fort Collins

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