Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Hilara (Empididae) - two dead, one alive

Posted by Sundew on 14-03-2008 01:06
#1

Hello,
Recently I found three empidid flies in the repotting room of our institute: two dead ones within the double-glazed window, one alive. I suppose all could be representatives of genus Rhamphomyia, because their proboscises are rather short. For a better comparison, I don't stick to the "one fly per thread" rule in this case.
Can we get to a closer ID? Thanks!
Sundew

Here comes the bigger of the dead ones.

Edited by Sundew on 15-03-2008 12:27

Posted by Sundew on 14-03-2008 01:06
#2

The smaller of the dead ones is darker and has a shorter proboscis.

Edited by Sundew on 14-03-2008 01:07

Posted by Sundew on 14-03-2008 01:09
#3

The living one did not want to sit under the hot lamp of the stereo microscope, so these pics must do...

Posted by Paul Beuk on 14-03-2008 07:52
#4

All are Hilara and these are not the easiest to identify. Maybe Igor or Adrian can do something with the photos, I'd prefer to ID them from the actual specimens.

Posted by Adrian on 14-03-2008 13:34
#5

Certainly Hilara I would say.
I could make some guess as to species group but Hilara is very hard to be sure about from a photo.
INdeed for many Hilara you can only really be sure if you confrim a det by dissecting out (or at least viewing) the male genitalia
Sorry can't be of more help
cheers
Adrian

Posted by Sundew on 15-03-2008 12:27
#6

Hilara is a new genus to me, so I am grateful and happy. Though... the magnifications of the abdomen tips (genitalia) of the dead ones are obviously not sufficient for putting them into a group. Paul, I suppose the genus is not so fascinating that you would be eager to get the two dead specimens? And if yes, how should I send them (re-wetted with 70% ethanol to overcome their brittleness)? Anyhow, if it weren't for a considerable progress in science, you should not waste your precious time with troublesome determination just to supply me with a name or two - Hilara spec. is ok for me!
Kind regards, Sundew

Posted by Paul Beuk on 15-03-2008 20:03
#7

You can send them anyway you like and you can ascertain they remain intact. Putting thm in alcool for a while may wok but you'd need to make certain there is lillte space they can move around and still get damaged.