Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Conopidae - Zodion cinereum
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 16:25
#1
Hi flyforum
* locality - Silgueiros - Viseu - PORTUGAL
* date - 2007.08.16
* size - 5 mm
* habitat - openland
* substrate - Mentha sp. flower
I testified two great moments. I saw twice two conopids piercing two wasps very quickly. In less 1 second. Moreover, the wasps/bees were feeding on Mentha flower, so piercing can be done even with wasps/bees feeding not just during the flight. The wasp and the bee tried to respond immediately, but it seems that conopid got the wasp... I could catch just one wasp. (i will photograph it more later. ) If I recall well Zodion spp. attacked the bee. The other conopid that I will show more later attacked the wasp, if I'm not wrong. There were plenty of bees/wasps/flies (tachinids flying very near ground as well).
I saw many conopids around. I think that is Myopa sp. but not M. picta neither M. occulta. ;)
What called my attention were two things: thorax striped, and tergites (in anterior part) are spotted with black dots. The proboscis is not so long as it happens with M. picta. it pointed almost above antennas. I will give you more photos more later and some more info about the fly.
i suggest that you take a look here to see it bigger:
http://www.flickr...142&size=o
then:
to see it bigger:
http://www.flickr...479&size=l
more images, more later. (I have lateral, dorsal and posterior views of this fly.)
EDIT---> Title changed from "grey conopid :D - Myopa sp. - not picta neither occulta ;)" to "grey conopid :D - Zodion sp." then "Zodion sp. Perhaps Z. cinereum?" then to "Conopidae - Zodion cf. cinereum?" to "Conopidae - Zodion cinereum"
Edited by jorgemotalmeida on 20-08-2007 19:58
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 16:35
#2
dorsal view
Posted by Kahis on 17-08-2007 16:47
#3
I think it is a
Zodion, not a
Myopa. The
proboscis is not folded back.
Edited by Kahis on 17-08-2007 16:50
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 16:58
#4
and you must have reason. Chris told me that if this was in UK it would be a Zodion sp. :)
Ok. For now I will change for Zodion sp.
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 17:13
#5
According to Van Veen's key :
"1.a. Legs blackish, femora partly pale; anus black; antennae black or 3rd segment reddish -> 2
1.b Legs reddish; anus red; antennae red -> 3
2.a. Antennae black; wing: cell R closed far before wing border. 4-5 mm. NL, B, D -> Zodion notatum Meigen
2.b. Antennae partly reddish; wing: cell R closed near wing border or just open. 4.5-9 mm. NL, B, D -> Zodion cinereum Fabricius
3.a. Abdomen with depressed dots, greyish dusted; wing: cell R open. 7.5-8 mm. D. -> Zodion carceli Robineau-Desvoidy
3.b. Abdomen without depressed dots, reddish or yellowish; wing: cell R closed. 6-9 mm. Middle and Southern Europe. -> Zodion erythrurum Rondani
Literature"
This must be Zodion cinereum. Do you agree?
Edited by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 22:36
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 17:13
#6
another shot:
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 17:29
#7
dorsal view. Look at the rear face.
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 17:32
#8
see u in next thread. :)
just for one more artistic shot of Zodion sp.
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 17:37
#9
antero-lateral view
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 21:56
#10
another shot
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 21:57
#11
and for last photo to see extremity of abdomen.
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 21:58
#12
Cell R closed very near wing border (look 3rd image). Antennas are partially red.. Anus black.
Very strong probability to be Z. cinereum. What do you think?
Edited by jorgemotalmeida on 17-08-2007 22:35
Posted by conopid on 17-08-2007 22:47
#13
Great Photos Jorge. I have never seen Zodion, so it is good to see what they look like.
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 20-08-2007 19:57
#14
According to David Clements, the ID confirms. Zodion cinereum. :D