Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Urophora stylata?

Posted by Colin M on 09-01-2010 19:42
#1

This pretty ~5 mm fly is perched on a thistle (Cirsium sp). It was photographed June 28 2009 in the Metro Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada. Surrounding habitat was open meadow/wetland near a small freshwater lake. I wonder if it is Urophora stylata. It was introduced to this area in 1973 as described in this link.

www.for.gov.bc.ca...tylata.htm

Posted by Paul Beuk on 09-01-2010 20:12
#2

Certainly looks like it, but then again I do not know if there were similar native species.

Posted by Nosferatumyia on 09-01-2010 21:17
#3

Yes it is. Certainly Urophora stylata. No other native or introduced species in the New World looking like this. Cirsium certainly must be C. arvense.

Edited by Nosferatumyia on 09-01-2010 21:18

Posted by Colin M on 09-01-2010 22:19
#4

Thank you, very interesting. Cirsium could be vulgare, as the fly was introduced to control that species, but I'm afraid I was so intent on the fly that I did not confirm the thistle. In any case, we have plenty of those two thistles around here.