- Joined
- Jan 3, 2019
- Messages
- 1,147
Feels like I just won one of the world's worst lotteries......
In November 2022 I got a number of WC Aphonopelma sp Dragoons specimens ranging from 3/8" slings to subadult specimens with the intention of breeding them. I've had one "problem child" as it were, a 1/2" sling that has only molted once in my care and has been off food for a few months now. The other 3/8" sling I got way back when is now a 1.5" DLS female if that gives you any idea of the growth discrepancy.
Anyways, today I lost that sling and in one of the most unexpected and gruesome ways possible. A parasitic fly larvae likely of the family Acroceridae, which has apparently been slowly feeding on the sling since it's time in the wild, erupted out of it's abdomen, killing it in the process.
Now, the reason I say that this is a horrible lottery is because of the absolute rarity of Acroceridae spp, with most species only being known from less than 10 specimens. Given the highland nature of the collection point in the Dragoon mountains and the rarity of this family in general, it's highly likely this is a new species of fly and it may be decades until another is even seen. It doesn't pose a threat to my collection due to the specific nature of how they reproduce (mated females, which this one won't be, don't seek out spiders like tarantula hawks. Instead the larvae seek out the host once hatched), but has been removed from the facility out of an abundance of caution. I'll allow the fly to finish pupating, euthanize it, and place it in ethanol while I find an entomologist with an interest in the family.
It sucks that I lost a sling in the process, but there are a few silver linings here. It is nice having an explanation as to why I had difficulties with this sling (so many "problem child" slings just up and die without any kind of indication to the cause). It is also nice that some good might come out of it's death, namely potentially furthering the study of Acroceridae spp.
I think I'll go buy a lottery ticket.....
In November 2022 I got a number of WC Aphonopelma sp Dragoons specimens ranging from 3/8" slings to subadult specimens with the intention of breeding them. I've had one "problem child" as it were, a 1/2" sling that has only molted once in my care and has been off food for a few months now. The other 3/8" sling I got way back when is now a 1.5" DLS female if that gives you any idea of the growth discrepancy.
Anyways, today I lost that sling and in one of the most unexpected and gruesome ways possible. A parasitic fly larvae likely of the family Acroceridae, which has apparently been slowly feeding on the sling since it's time in the wild, erupted out of it's abdomen, killing it in the process.
Now, the reason I say that this is a horrible lottery is because of the absolute rarity of Acroceridae spp, with most species only being known from less than 10 specimens. Given the highland nature of the collection point in the Dragoon mountains and the rarity of this family in general, it's highly likely this is a new species of fly and it may be decades until another is even seen. It doesn't pose a threat to my collection due to the specific nature of how they reproduce (mated females, which this one won't be, don't seek out spiders like tarantula hawks. Instead the larvae seek out the host once hatched), but has been removed from the facility out of an abundance of caution. I'll allow the fly to finish pupating, euthanize it, and place it in ethanol while I find an entomologist with an interest in the family.
It sucks that I lost a sling in the process, but there are a few silver linings here. It is nice having an explanation as to why I had difficulties with this sling (so many "problem child" slings just up and die without any kind of indication to the cause). It is also nice that some good might come out of it's death, namely potentially furthering the study of Acroceridae spp.
I think I'll go buy a lottery ticket.....
hmm 
. It’s a wonder spiders even survive in the wild with all these parasites. Not to mention Pepsis wasps.