Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Phaonia sp.

Posted by Isidro on 24-08-2025 09:07
#1
25th July 2025.
Europe, Spain, Pyrenees mountains, Lérida, Comes de Rubió. About 2000 meters over sea. Alpine pastures heavily grazed by cattle and horses, with scattered to dense pines (Pinus uncinata) and basically no other woody plants. Resting in a pine stump.
Size more or less as a Calliphora.
Any idea of the species?
Thanks!

inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/543425389/large.jpg
inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/543425397/large.jpg

Posted by eklans on 24-08-2025 11:20
#2
Probably a male Phaonia valida.

Posted by Isidro on 24-08-2025 12:25
#3
Many thanks Eric!!

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 24-08-2025 13:49
#4
Yes, I agree.
There is one more character never mentioned in identification keys, because it works only on alive or very freshly collected specimens:
eyes brownish - Ph. errans
eyes reddish - Ph. valida

Posted by Isidro on 24-08-2025 14:28
#5
That's very useful! Thanks!