Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Unknown Calliphoridae?

Posted by Jeroen K on 11-04-2009 16:04
#1

A while back, I bought some third-instar fly maggots in a fishing shop. I reared them on decomposing flesh until they pupated and emerged and now I would like to identificate the adults. Unfortunately, I have very little experience in identificating flies, so I hope that you can help me.

According to the wing venation and the general appearance, I'm pretty sure that it's a member of the Calliphoridae, but I would be very pleased with an identification to species level. I'm quite a bad photographer, so the attached photographs aren't of a high quality, but I still have some specimens, so when you need any additional information, please ask and I will observe them.

EDIT: The attached photographs don't appear. I'll try to figure out what is wrong.

Edited by Jeroen K on 11-04-2009 16:07

Posted by Jeroen K on 11-04-2009 16:42
#2

Here they are. As I said, the quality is bad, but maybe the close-up of the wing will do it.

www.wetenschapsforum.nl/uploads/monthly_04_2009/post-10489-1239464445.png

www.wetenschapsforum.nl/uploads/monthly_04_2009/post-10489-1239464271.png

Edited by Jeroen K on 11-04-2009 16:43

Posted by Zeegers on 11-04-2009 19:41
#3

It seems to be Calliphora.
We really need a better picture to say more.


Theo

Posted by Jeroen K on 11-04-2009 21:32
#4

Thanks for your reply. Here are some more pictures of a slightly better quality. If you need any more identification characteristics, maybe you can tell me where I have to look for and I will check them myself.

www.wetenschapsforum.nl/uploads/monthly_04_2009/post-10489-1239479764.png

www.wetenschapsforum.nl/uploads/monthly_04_2009/post-10489-1239479791.png

Posted by Tony Irwin on 12-04-2009 01:01
#5

Calliphora, could be vomitoria - a well-lit side view of the head would help.

Posted by Jeroen K on 12-04-2009 12:02
#6

Thank you very much for your answer. Here are some side views. How can you tell it's a Calliphora?

www.wetenschapsforum.nl/uploads/monthly_04_2009/post-10489-1239534247.jpg

www.wetenschapsforum.nl/uploads/monthly_04_2009/post-10489-1239534258.jpg

www.wetenschapsforum.nl/uploads/monthly_04_2009/post-10489-1239534270.jpg

www.wetenschapsforum.nl/uploads/monthly_04_2009/post-10489-1239534283.jpg

Edited by Jeroen K on 12-04-2009 12:06

Posted by Tony Irwin on 12-04-2009 14:05
#7

Yes, it is vomitoria (extensive red hairs on cheeks).
It's Calliphora from the wing venation, metallic blue abdomen, grey-striped thorax and general shape and appearance (there are other definitive characters, but they're not visible in your photos.

Edited by Tony Irwin on 12-04-2009 14:08

Posted by Jeroen K on 12-04-2009 14:27
#8

Thank you, you have helped me a lot. Would you mind answering some more general questions. I would like to know what general wing venation pattern of the genus Calliphora does look like (what are the characteristic veins).

Further, I have heard that you can distinguish Calliphora vomitoria from C. vicina by the bright orange cheeks of the last one, but C. vomitoria also has orange-red hairs on its cheeks. What's the best way to distiguish both species?

Posted by Tony Irwin on 12-04-2009 18:56
#9

The wing of Calliphora is typical of many calypterates. Some of the veins are named in this thread - http://www.dipter...ad_id=8574. The important thing is the bend in vein M - in most muscids and anthomyiids vein M is straight, without a bend. In most calliphorids, sarcophagids and tachinids, vein M has a bend which can be very sharp or more rounded and may or may not have an appendix. Your photos show the typical venation for Calliphora, but there are other genera that look very like this too.

Distinguishing vicina and vomitoria is fairly easy - vomitoria has dark grey cheeks with red hairs, vicina has orange-red cheeks with black hairs (but there are other species like this too!) If you use the search facilty to look through some of the previous threads about Calliphora, you will find lots of helpful pictures and plenty of advice about separating the species.

Edited by Tony Irwin on 12-04-2009 18:57

Posted by Jeroen K on 12-04-2009 20:28
#10

I have to thank you once more. Your information was very helpful.