Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Calliphoridae -> Melinda sp.
Posted by nick upton on 20-03-2010 19:59
#1
Can anyone identify this bluebottle with very red eyes with certainty?
Calliphora erythrocephala?? maybe? and if so, what is the defining character?
Photographed 4.6.09 in Wiltshire, southwest UK.
NickU
Edited by nick upton on 26-06-2010 19:00
Posted by Stephen R on 20-03-2010 20:04
#2
Looks like a fresh
Lucilia to me.
Posted by nick upton on 20-03-2010 20:21
#3
I'm used to them looking much greener. Do you mean they can be more bluish like this fly (it really was blue, it's not a bad grade!) when first emerged?
NickU
Posted by Stephen R on 20-03-2010 20:26
#4
Yes, they start blue but turn green quite quickly, and then gradually bronze.
Posted by nick upton on 20-03-2010 20:34
#5
OK, interesting....thanks. Had not come across mention of that before. And if it had been green, I'd have had it as Lucilia sp. which it probably is, as you suggest.
Nick
Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 21-03-2010 13:14
#6
Sorry, this is not a
Luculia, but a
Melinda.
Posted by Stephen R on 21-03-2010 15:08
#7
Very sorry Nick, I should have warned you I don't know what I'm talking about :(
Stephen.
Posted by nick upton on 21-03-2010 18:32
#8
Many thanks Stephane with your expert help on this, and no worries Stephen. I can see from other forum entries that Melinda sp. often cause problems. Maybe they are not very common? Or maybe just very easily confused with other common species and get overlooked as a result??.
I read that their larvae are parasites of snails and that there are only 2 UK species Melinda viridicyanea and V. gentilis (very similar of course... so I doubt anyone can tell me which one this is).
I've been struggling to find out how to be sure this fly is Melinda so I'll know it if I see another. If I'm right, it may be that it is bristlier on the thorax than a fresh Lucilia and always blue and quite small c 5mm. It also has white dusting or speckles on the thorax. I hope someone will correct me if I've missed something else really definitive that might be visible in the field.
Nick
Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 21-03-2010 21:01
#9
This is correct (except for the more bristly thorax). We can add that the deflection of vein M is less angular than in Lucilia/Calliphora.
Posted by nick upton on 22-03-2010 18:15
#10
Many thanks Stephane for the extra guidance. i think I'll know Melinda the next time I see one. I'm a good learner, but know I have a long way to go with so many Diptera out there!
Nick