Posted by ceiseman on 11-07-2009 15:24
#1
I reared several of these flies from intermediate woodfern (
Dryopteris intermedia) collected in Massachusetts, USA, and on BugGuide.net Dr. Matthias Buck identified this image as a
Scaptomyza species (Drosophilidae). I'm hoping to determine exactly what species they are. If an ID is not possible from the image, I'd be happy to mail a specimen, or I could examine it under a scope if someone can tell me what to look for (i.e. direct me to a key). If anyone has any information about host plants of North American
Scaptomyza species that would be helpful too. Thanks!
Edited by ceiseman on 11-07-2009 15:26
Posted by Paul Beuk on 11-07-2009 15:45
#2
Of too many species the host plants are unknown. If you have a spare male and emale and can send them to me, then i can use Hardy's key (1959). The image does not show to many characters not clearly, leaving no possibility of a proper identification. My first impression was a pale form (pehaps this specimen is not fully coloured yet) of
Scaptomyza (Parascaptomyza) pallida, but then I noticed the anterior legs are already considerably darker than the other legs and that would be out of character for that species.