Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Ephydridae SW Sweden 16 Jun 2015 -> Hydrellia sp.

Posted by Johane on 24-06-2015 11:04
#1

Is it possible to tell genus or species?

Edited by Johane on 01-07-2015 01:06

Posted by Johane on 24-06-2015 11:04
#2

2nd photo

Posted by Johane on 24-06-2015 11:05
#3

3rd photo

Posted by Johane on 24-06-2015 11:05
#4

4th photo

Posted by Tony Irwin on 24-06-2015 11:10
#5

Hydrellia female. I can't tell which species from the photos.

Posted by Johane on 24-06-2015 11:33
#6

Thanks Tony! Are females identifiable at all and what is needed to be seen then?

Posted by Tony Irwin on 24-06-2015 17:34
#7

The females are more difficult than the males, as we rely on external features to identify them. The male genitalia give good characters. Where the species is distinctive in terms of colouration and chaetotaxy, then we can make a good guess, but some of the commonest species (e.g maura and griseola) are very difficult to separate as females.

Posted by Johane on 27-06-2015 00:14
#8

Do you mean that this female is impossible to identify, or are there important features that are not visible in the photos? I have no key to Hydrellia females.

Posted by Tony Irwin on 28-06-2015 19:38
#9

I find some female Hydrellia impossible to identify. The keys to males may work for the females, if the species is distinctively coloured, but this does not appear to be one of those, so I doubt that we will get a positive identification.
Most Hydrellia occur abundantly where you find them, so it's much better to collect more in the hope that you find a male.

Posted by Johane on 01-07-2015 01:05
#10

Thanks for your help! I will do my best to catch a male.