Diptera.info

Posted by conopid on 14-11-2009 17:17

Hi forum,
I can't convince myself of an identity for this fly. I have keyed it to Phorocera - but this is not right when I compare it to photos on UK Tachinids. So, can anyone suggest a genus?

Edited by conopid on 14-11-2009 17:45

Posted by ChrisR on 14-11-2009 20:37

I think it all hangs on the hairiness of the arista - is it really not hairy? The gena seems quite deep and the median vein looks petiolate to me :)

Posted by conopid on 15-11-2009 00:11

I've had a good look now at the arista against dark and light backgrounds and there are no hairs. Also no petiole, the veins meet right on the wing edge.

Some features of the fly are:
Light orange palps, four AD bristles on the mid tibia, the vibrissa cross, plenty of hairs and several bristles on the gena, 3 pre-sutural and 3 post-sutural DCs, 3 katepisternal bristles, several virtually upright bristles on disc of scutellum. Small Tachinid - about 5mm body length.

This one has been giving me trouble for ages. I keep putting it to the side and coming back to it, but can't get a satisfactory outcome. May have to post it to you?

Edited by conopid on 15-11-2009 00:15

Posted by ChrisR on 15-11-2009 00:44

Hmm, I think I'd like to see it - if it's been giving you so much hassle then it's probably going to be tricky to do from photos and descriptions :)

Posted by Jaakko on 15-11-2009 14:17

Hi,

When did you catch this specimen Nigel? If spring, I would suggest to check Lypha dubia.

Best,

Jaakko