Diptera.info

Posted by Roger Thomason on 24-01-2009 13:11

This one was lost due to recent fault. It was ID'd as a species of Phoridae by Jorge..can anyone take it any further? I have no Phoridae on my Checklist, but as it was found in a friends Conservatory it has probably come in with some of his plants, (possibly from when he overwinters in Soller in Majorca).
Sorry for quality of shots but a small,3-4mm very active fly running around on a window isn't an ideal subject for 1st fly seen/photographed in weeks.

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 24-01-2009 16:50

Phoridae is not an easy family. For example, the genus Megaselia is in a mess. :S Maybe Sabine... can tell anything more about this phorid!

Posted by Roger Thomason on 24-01-2009 18:00

Thanks once again Jorge. A very grim family to read about also :|. I think I'll get cremated when I pop my clogs.
Regards Roger

Posted by coffinfly on 26-01-2009 12:45

This one looks like Megaselia sp. Some Megaselia are not infrequent on windows.

Posted by Roger Thomason on 26-01-2009 13:16

Cheers Coffinfly...Anyone giving themselves that title ought to know. I phoned my friends to tell them that they had a new species of flies for Shetland, they were amazed until I gave them some details of Phorids egg laying habits on human corpses inside buried coffins. I think they maybe got a liberal spray of fly killer. I may get a chance to photograph the dead flies, at least they won't be so active ;). Regards Roger

Edited by Roger Thomason on 26-01-2009 13:22

Posted by Kahis on 26-01-2009 17:20

The abdomen looks strangely hairy. Could this be Megaselia rufipes ?

Posted by Roger Thomason on 27-01-2009 04:56

Strangely hairy Kahis...pot calling kettle black springs to mind (see Avatar above:)) and I should know regarding strange and hairy( see photo in The Lounge).Does M.rufipes lay eggs on buried corpses? Scared the c#@p out of my pals wife :D. Who said fly stuff couldn't be fun. Coffinflies don't you love 'em.
Regards Roger

Edited by Roger Thomason on 27-01-2009 05:29