Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2009 16:47
#1
This is another neotropical fly from French Guiana. It looks calyptrate and the plumose arista and stripes on the thorax remind me of a sarcophagid but the face is very strangely sculptured and I can't see any hypopleural bristles...
Edited by ChrisR on 12-05-2009 21:59
Posted by Paul Beuk on 12-05-2009 20:20
#4
I have no reference papers here, but Richardiidae springs to mind.
Edited by Paul Beuk on 12-05-2009 20:24
Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2009 21:53
#6
Yep, I think Tony is right ... that looks spot-on. :D
But next question ... does anyone know *anything* about these flies, beyond their taxonomic position? I have been Googling and I can't see anything much other than they are muscomorphs (I could have guessed that :D) and more closely related to sciomyzids ... but nothing on ecology or distribution etc :(
EDIT: I should add that I have seen adults feeding on rotting fruit. :)
EDIT2: Seems that all we know about Ropalocerids is that the larvae are found in rotting substrates and the adults are attracted to sweet things.
Mine might be a
Willistoniella sp., based on the face shape; single pair of marginal scutellars; and the laterally compressed and only slightly curved hind femur. But all corrections are welcome! :D
Edited by ChrisR on 13-05-2009 00:11