Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Brachypterous Ephydridae

Posted by Tony Irwin on 21-12-2007 16:54
#5

Interesting ... I wonder if these are Philygria (=Nostima) picta - in this species both sexes have reduced wings, but the reduction is more extreme in the female (- sexual dimorphism rather than polymorphism). Among the Philygria that David suggests, semialata was originally placed in Nostima, distingished by plumose arista and two, rather than three, dorsocentral pairs (including pre-scutellars). It is a species that is most often recorded by pitfall trapping, in Britain associated with grassy heaths.
If you have found a different Philygria with fully macropterous and brachypterous forms, then that is certainly remarkable! In any case a good find! B)