Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
 Tachinidae - Epicampocera succincta
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| conopid |
Posted on 18-05-2009 08:28
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 Member Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1039 Joined: 02.07.04 |
Hello, I am having trouble determining this Tachinid. I keep keying it as Ernestia spp, but the specimen does not fit any of the descriptions in Belshaw. The parafacial area has fine dark hairs over its complete length. Any suggestions welcome - is it even Ernestia? Taken in my garden in Shrewsbury, UK 17 May. Length approx 9mm. Best wishes to All Nigel conopid attached the following image:  [45.45Kb] Edited by conopid on 06-06-2009 22:45 Nigel Jones, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom |
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| conopid |
Posted on 18-05-2009 08:29
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Member Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1039 Joined: 02.07.04 |
genitalia
conopid attached the following image:  [29.99Kb] Nigel Jones, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom |
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| conopid |
Posted on 18-05-2009 08:29
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Member Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1039 Joined: 02.07.04 |
dorsal view
conopid attached the following image:  [78.96Kb] Nigel Jones, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom |
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| Zeegers |
Posted on 18-05-2009 18:05
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Member Location: Soest, NL Posts: 19298 Joined: 21.07.04 |
epicampocera succincta without any doubt. Don't know where Belshaw gives you trouble. Theo |
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| conopid |
Posted on 18-05-2009 21:10
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Member Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1039 Joined: 02.07.04 |
Thanks Theo. I'll run it through Belshaw backwards and work out where I am making the wrong decision. 
Nigel Jones, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom |
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| conopid |
Posted on 22-05-2009 10:14
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Member Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1039 Joined: 02.07.04 |
I reviewed the specimen of Epicampocera succincta and found the couplet in Belshaw that caused me a problem was the one asking whether or not the mouth edge is obviously projecting beyond the base of the vibrissae. It's the interpretation of what is obvious and what is not obvious that caused me aproblem, as the mouth edge certainly projects beyond the vibrissae in my specimen and to me it was obvious. Others may want to mark their Belshaw's at this couplet (it's about couplet 39) to flag up the possibility of mis-interpreting this feature.
Nigel Jones, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom |
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| Zeegers |
Posted on 22-05-2009 10:53
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Member Location: Soest, NL Posts: 19298 Joined: 21.07.04 |
I agree It is obvious in both, but in Ernestia, it is more obvious, to semiquote George Orwell. In direct comparison it really is obvious, however, this does not help the beginner. Theo |
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| conopid |
Posted on 22-05-2009 12:04
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Member Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1039 Joined: 02.07.04 |
The worrying thing is I have seen a good number of Epicampocera before - I suppose I'll eventually just learn to recognise the genus.
Nigel Jones, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom |
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| Zeegers |
Posted on 22-05-2009 13:33
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Member Location: Soest, NL Posts: 19298 Joined: 21.07.04 |
Good clues are: bluish shine (also in Pales) black, clavate palpus (esp. female) distinctly curved outer edge of third antennal segment shown in first pic Theo |
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