Thread subject: Diptera.info :: An interesting little rhinophorid

Posted by ChrisR on 01-09-2009 16:00
#1

Helene kindly sent me some mixed tachinids and rhinophorids from Provence recently and I have been pouring over them. All of the rhinophorids look like these individuals but they are not similar to any of the rhinophorids that I am familiar with - has anyone got some suggestions? :)

All caught at the end of July / start of August and are between 5 and 8mm long.

Edited by ChrisR on 01-09-2009 16:02

Posted by ChrisR on 01-09-2009 16:01
#2

another specimen...

Posted by Zeegers on 02-09-2009 07:52
#3

DOn't let the colouration distract you.

Looks like a Stevenia. Check for the Peleteria-bristles.


Theo

Posted by ChrisR on 02-09-2009 08:08
#4

Yes, they have 3 "Peleteria-bristles" on each side and small hairs all down the parafacial :)

Is it possible to identify Stevenia from southern Europe? Is there a key? :)

Posted by Zeegers on 02-09-2009 18:53
#5

Recent key by Cerretti and Pape in Zootaxa.

Should work in Italy


Theo

Posted by ChrisR on 02-09-2009 19:08
#6

Thanks Theo - I have downloaded the key online and it seems to work OK. I have run one specimen through it and that came out to Stevenia deceptoria, which occurs in the region (Provence, France) :)

Edited by ChrisR on 02-09-2009 19:09

Posted by ChrisR on 02-09-2009 19:34
#7

Argh ... the last one is a female and it is totally black with little orange marks on the femurs. Keys out provisionally to S.etrusca, which is given as a "sp.nova" occurring mainly in Italy in the paper but is not listed as a European species in Fauna Europaea :(