Diptera.info

Posted by Cor Zonneveld on 17-05-2009 20:53

Drents-Friese Woud (there we go again...), the Netherlands. Earl morning (9:30 that is), 2 males hovering on open spot in woodland. Stretch of some 50 meter wide, covered with heath and shrubs. The males were hovering low, about 30 cm above ground, at top level of Calluna plants. They regularly chased each other, but came predictably back.

I realize males are difficult, but I hope this is enough to go on!

Posted by Zeegers on 18-05-2009 18:20

Please tell me you did collect one.
Please

Looks like male H. tropica or lundbecki, both would be spectacular.

Or the colouration of the eyes is very misleading.

Theo

Posted by Cor Zonneveld on 18-05-2009 18:23

Sorry, sorry, sorry...

However, I have many more photo's. Eye color in live bright green, nicely contrasting with orange on abdomen. New photo's within an hour...I'll focus on the eyes.

Posted by Cor Zonneveld on 18-05-2009 18:28

Here's the first. Horsefly between me and sun, so sun is shning through. Good impression of what I saw.

Posted by Zeegers on 18-05-2009 18:38

OK that helps a lot.

Definitely in the montana subgroup for several reasons. It is very early in the year, so lurida, lundbecki and tropica are an option. It is much to orange for lurida.
So
If you can help looking at the original

Are the notopleural lobes brown or orange ? I just can't tell.
Is the third antennal segment (without arista !) largely orange or just half dark at the tip ?

Theo

Posted by Cor Zonneveld on 18-05-2009 18:44

#10

OK, what are the notopleural lobes - i'm just an ignoramus...

Posted by Zeegers on 18-05-2009 18:51

#12

The bulbs at the side of the thorax before the wing base.
I can see they are partly orange, partly dark, that troubles me.

Theo

Posted by Cor Zonneveld on 18-05-2009 18:53

#13

OK, here's detailed view of head-thorax; i'ld say its uniform in coloration.

Edited by Cor Zonneveld on 18-05-2009 19:07

Posted by Zeegers on 18-05-2009 19:06

#14

Nono, it isn't, the knobs at the side before the wing base are distinctly orange. Moreover, The apical half of third antennal segment is distinctly dark,.
So this guy has all the features of H. tropica.

Only known from.....Drenthe.

Theo

Posted by Cor Zonneveld on 18-05-2009 19:09

#15

You mean, in the Netherlands, I suppose? This was in Friesland...(Appelscha)

Is the notopleural lobe not totally covered in hairs? (sorry for my total lack of knowledge...)

Edited by Cor Zonneveld on 18-05-2009 19:13

Posted by Cor Zonneveld on 18-05-2009 19:16

#16

partly out of focus (the relevant part), but mey still help a bit

Posted by Zeegers on 18-05-2009 19:54

#17

Yes, 100 % not lundbecki,

so unless there is some very dirty catch, this must be male tropica

Theo

Posted by Cor Zonneveld on 18-05-2009 20:49

#18

So, if you need coordinates:
X, 217.403 Y, 551.43

Do you want habitat photo's too?

Posted by Zeegers on 18-05-2009 20:55

#19

Let's write a piece for de Vliegenmepper, with your pictures, if you please

Theo