Diptera.info

Posted by Maherjos on 08-12-2013 19:52

Photograph taken on 08 December, 2013, in the wetlands of the Suárez Pond, Motril, Granada, Spain.
Immediate area of the Mediterranean coast.

Apparent size with wings, about 7-8 mm

Thanks in advance for any help!

Edited by Maherjos on 09-12-2013 18:31

Posted by Michael Ackland on 09-12-2013 10:49

The fused postsutural spots are unusual. I can't name a male Anthomyia species from a photo I am afraid. You will have to catch a specimen and send it to me, as the ID depends on dissecting the genitalia and examining the gonites especially. This photo is either Anthomyia procellaris, imbrida, quinquemaculata or bazini. A. imbrida has numerous pd setae on hind tibia, but this is not visible in the last photo, only the ad setae. It could be quinquemaculata, which I have caught in your area when on holiday in the 1980's. Some very interesting species there.

Posted by Maherjos on 09-12-2013 11:23

Michael Ackland wrote:
The fused postsutural spots are unusual. I can't name a male Anthomyia species from a photo I am afraid. You will have to catch a specimen and send it to me, as the ID depends on dissecting the genitalia and examining the gonites especially. This photo is either Anthomyia procellaris, imbrida, quinquemaculata or bazini. A. imbrida has numerous pd setae on hind tibia, but this is not visible in the last photo, only the ad setae. It could be quinquemaculata, which I have caught in your area when on holiday in the 1980's. Some very interesting species there.

I am very grateful for the extensive information it offers.
I will consider your suggestions for future encounters with similar flies.

In this case it would be correct appointment as Anthomyia cf. quinquemaculata.?

Kind regards from southern Spain.
José Marín.

PD. I add another picture, in case it might help to advance your identification.

Edited by Maherjos on 09-12-2013 11:45

Posted by Michael Ackland on 09-12-2013 17:44

There are two characters in your last photo which are helpful. The membranous projections of the fifth sternite, which are quite long and appear rather squarish, suggest quinquemaculata. Also the ad-seta on the mid tibia is either very small or absent, another character for quinquemaculata.

Your photos are very good for depth of field and clarity, especially as they are taken in the field presumably without any computer montage. In this case it would be OK to suggest Anthomyia cf. quinquemaculata.

Other photographers should strive to reach this standard I am not a photographer but a taxonomist who draws all the structures. Perhaps I will try to post a figure of the fifth sternite of quinquemaculata but they are in PDF format.

Posted by Maherjos on 09-12-2013 18:49

Michael Ackland wrote:
There are two characters in your last photo which are helpful. The membranous projections of the fifth sternite, which are quite long and appear rather squarish, suggest quinquemaculata. Also the ad-seta on the mid tibia is either very small or absent, another character for quinquemaculata.

Your photos are very good for depth of field and clarity, especially as they are taken in the field presumably without any computer montage. In this case it would be OK to suggest Anthomyia cf. quinquemaculata.

Other photographers should strive to reach this standard I am not a photographer but a taxonomist who draws all the structures. Perhaps I will try to post a figure of the fifth sternite of quinquemaculata but they are in PDF format.

Again I express my thanks for your support and information it contains.

Also, thank you for your favorable opinion of my photographs.
Indeed, they are snapshots of field without computer mounts. On the computer, just adjust the color and sharpness levels. I only pictures can do. But not I have, training and experience to identify what I photograph. So I always appreciate the help you give us the specialists.

Despite my lack of taxonomic knowledge, I think it would be very interesting to know its publication in pdf format.

Kind regards, José Marín.