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Hi,

this small Tachinidae was on the way to Siphona unit before I had a closer look. Maybe Ceranthia :| ? June 3.2009 Loviisa, Finland.

Jari

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I cannot see the palps, but the third antennal segment is huge, strongly suggestion Ceranthia verralli male.


Theo

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Ok, in our list it's Aphantorhaphopsis verralli. It really looks a lot like it. What abouth the palps ?

Jari

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I am conservative and not yet convinced of the relevance of Aphantoraphopsis. In any case, since verralli belongs to this group, the palpi should be 'normal', so not extremely slender.
and now I have had a better look at the first pic: the palpi are filiform, implying Ceranthia ss.
So Ceranthia lichtwardtiana is my current suggestion


Theo

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I add here a picture of lichtwardtiana to compare. The antennae is differend, humerus yellow etc. I don't know if these are important and this goes to the box with Your name on it again ;)

Jari

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The colours are not that important, but the antenna is completely different.
SO, have a look yourself at the palpi, are they similar (filiform) of very different ?
SO we can fix the subgenus.

Theo

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There is a minor proble. My flies are back home and I will go there after two months or so :) Only thing I have here are the pictures and new flies, so we must close this case temporarely ;)

Jari

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This one is in fact Ceranthia tristella. A rare species in Finland and I think Chris will understand why :D Det by Theo again.

Jari

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with the connotation, that nobody really understands the difference between lichtwardtiana and tristella.
Tristella might be just a morph of lichtwardtiana.

On the other hand, the species is by Herting, who I consider to have been extremely good and precise.

So no final opinion from my part.


Theo