Posted by Sundew on 19-11-2023 03:59
#1
Hi,
A few years ago, we regularly spent a few spring days in Františkovy Lázně (Czechia), and every time I encountered a small dark Dolichopodid there, which turned out to be
Achalcus. Now I checked all relevant threads in the forum archive, and learned from Igor's key (
https://diptera.i...Europe.pdf) that it must be
A. cinereus or
A. thalhammeri. The latter (rather rare) species, which is recorded from Bohemia, has whitish-yellow sternites and dark bristles on thorax and abdomen. I'd like to show you a series of pictures from two years with added notes on the characters of the more frequent
A. cinereus. I strongly suspect that the animals I have observed are
A. cinereus. Confirmation or correction is highly appreciated!
Thanks in advance, Sundew
#1
Edited by Sundew on 19-11-2023 18:43
Posted by Sundew on 19-11-2023 04:03
#5
#5
This is a specimen from the nature reserve Soos 6 km northeast of Františkovy Lázně. The moorland is famous for its natural mofettes and mineral springs.
Edited by Sundew on 19-11-2023 04:04
Posted by Marc Pollet on 19-11-2023 14:10
#6
Dear Claudia (?),
All specimens in your pictures are definitely belonging to A. cinereus: the antenna in the male is partly pale, while it is entirely dark in the female. For identification purposes, see also: Pollet, M. (2005) Systematic revision of Neotropical Achalcus and a related new genus (Diptera: Dolichopodidae, Achalcinae) with comments on their phylogeny, ecology and zoogeography. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 143: 27-73. With 27 figures. And keep on searching for Achalcinae in Europe, the remain quite special here. Cheers, Marc
Posted by Sundew on 19-11-2023 18:42
#7
Thanks a lot for confirmation, dear Marc.