Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Sarcophagini ---> Pierretia cf. nigriventris?

Posted by Walther Gritsch on 22-05-2009 22:05
#1

Hi Forum

Sarcophagids aren't the easiest flies to put it politely.

On May 20th 2009 I swept this smallish one (~ 6 mm) from low grass in birch forest outside of Copenhagen.
It's rather caracteristic with the downward pointing setae on the parafacials. Moreover it has a line of bristles extending from the radial node to R-M on R4+5 on the upper side of the wing. Both made me think of Tachinidae initially but the fly has no subscutellum. Hence a Sarc.
The cerci have a distinct apical hook.
For what it's worth I think we're in Sarcophaga s.l. but I'm unable to get any further.

Does anyone have an educated guess?

Cheers,
Walther

Edited by Walther Gritsch on 23-05-2009 00:18

Posted by ChrisR on 22-05-2009 22:24
#2

Pierretia sp.? (epandrium black, vein r1 bare, 3 post-sutural dc, 1-4 pre-sutural dc). Have you tried keying it using Pape's keys? :)

Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 22-05-2009 22:40
#3

If there are some strong presut. acr and hooked cerci, I suspect a Blaesoxipha.

Posted by Walther Gritsch on 23-05-2009 00:15
#4

Thanks for the suggestions!
I have indeed been using Pape's key but I lack experience in dealing with Sarcophagidae.
I doubt, however, that it should be Blaesoxipha, Stéphane. The shape of the cerci doesn't fit with the drawings in Pape. They are simply not bent enough dorsally. As for presut. acr. there are two pairs but they are rather weak - i.e. shorter than the dorsocentrals.
On the other hand Pierretia sp. fits nicely, and that was where I ended at first myself. Something like Pierretia nigriventris, perhaps?

Walther