Thread subject: Diptera.info :: small Phasia with grey back

Posted by Sundew on 11-07-2008 23:12
#1

Hi,
Yesterday I saw a small Phasia on milfoil inflorescences. The thorax was black, but the last tergites were grey. Can Phasia obesa be thus variable?
Thanks, Sundew

Posted by ChrisR on 12-07-2008 09:00
#2

The small Phasia spp. (barbifrons, obesa & pusilla) can be variable in the dusting on their abdomens. But the key feature for P. obesa is that the thorax should have dusting - abdomenal dusting isn't important. This fly looks like Phasia pusilla to me - the face is very silvery and I can't see a yellow haltere :)