Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Rhinophoridae: Melanophora roralis ♀
Posted by ESant on 14-01-2026 13:53
#1
Hello,
I photographed this small fly in the Supramonte Mountains, Sardinia (NU), Italy, 1190m a.s.l. on May 14th 2025. I think it is a Rhinophoridae, but is it possible to identify its genus or species based on these photos? Unfortunately I don't have additional shots, it was quite small and moved quickly between the rocks.
Thank you in advance,
Emanuele
Edited by ESant on 15-01-2026 19:03
Posted by ESant on 14-01-2026 13:53
#2
Photo 2:
Posted by eklans on 14-01-2026 14:26
#3
This looks like
Melanophora roralis (if there's not a resembling one in Sardegna).
Edited by eklans on 14-01-2026 14:27
Posted by ESant on 15-01-2026 12:12
#4
Thank you. As far as I know in Sardegna there's the similar-looking
M. chia, but if I'm not mistaken the length of the petiole of this individual is still in favor of
M. roralis (?).
Posted by eklans on 15-01-2026 13:57
#5
M. roralis is correct and it's a female (white tip of wings). Ceretti & Pape (2009) write that besides the distinctly longer petiole of
M. chia the female's head and thorax are are mainly yellow in ground colour.
Posted by ESant on 15-01-2026 19:03
#6
Great, I definitely missed that very important detail.