Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Chloropidae 1->Gaurax sp.

Posted by von Tschirnhaus on 13-05-2013 18:08
#6

I agree with Terry and Sara: Gaurax Loew, 1863 (female). Gaurax spp. are extremely difficult to identify as their colouration is very variable and as no revision exists. Males possess complicated species-specific genitalia which must be dissected for exact determination. But the types of the described species partly have not yet been ordered to the published figures of genitalia. Females (more abundant than males) normally cannot be identified to the species level, only together with series of males. Several Gaurax spp. repeatedly have been reared from mushrooms/fungi, especially from polypores but also from bird nests and cones of conifers. The 3rd antennal segment of all species is shorter than deep (= high), eyes possess a metallic sheen (alife and in alcohol), the wing cell between costa and subcosta is wider than in most other Oscinellinae, well to be seen in this image. Gaurax spp. are rare in sweep net samples!