Long-Tongue Fly Visiting the Long-Tubed Iris, <em>Lapeirousia Anceps</em> (IMAGE)

Stellenbosch University

Long-Tongue Fly Visiting the Long-Tubed Iris, <em>Lapeirousia Anceps</em>

Caption

With a tongue up to 7 cm in length, the long-tongue fly Moegistorhynchus longirostris often battles to fly, especially in the wind. The fly must fully insert its proboscis into the flower to obtain a tiny droplet of nectar at the bottom of the tube, and in the process pollen is placed on or removed from its head by the long-tubed iris, Lapeirousia anceps.

Credit

Bruce Anderson

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Photo credit: Bruce Anderson

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