Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Lucilia species?
Posted by Larry Shone on 10-05-2010 16:58
#1
This is a green fly I photographed a while ago, and this is as close as I could get at the time.
I looked in my guide and came up with two matches that I thought were close, Gymnochaeta viridis and Eudasyphora cyanella. Another was Lucilia caesar, the speces of Lucilia in my book.
Of course I'm only a beginner so could be far off, but am trying to learn.

Edited by Larry Shone on 11-05-2010 11:57
Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 10-05-2010 17:34
#2
Welcome Larry !
This is a
Lucilia (Calliphoridae).
Posted by Larry Shone on 10-05-2010 17:39
#3
Stephane Lebrun wrote:
Welcome Larry !
This is a Lucilia (Calliphoridae).
Oh thanks Stepane! This is so funny because my book has 3 green species on the page I was looking at but I ignored Lucilia caesar and it turned out to be the likely species!
Edited by Larry Shone on 10-05-2010 17:41
Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 10-05-2010 17:42
#4
This is not necessary
L. caesar ! There are many others species of
Lucilia.
Posted by Larry Shone on 10-05-2010 20:53
#5
Stephane Lebrun wrote:
This is not necessary L. caesar ! There are many others species of Lucilia.
Indeed I'm sure there is. i simply put a species of Lucilia on my photobucket nature shots page.
Posted by andrzej grzywacz on 11-05-2010 09:03
#6
I can see yellow basicoste (small yellow spot in the base of the wing), so probably you can limit to few species with yellow basicosta. I know that one of this species is L. sericata. I am not good in identification of blowflies so I will be grateful for correction.
Posted by Sundew on 11-05-2010 10:52
#7
If you get an ID, change the title of your thread ("edit" button) to attract other experts. In this case, you could name it, e. g., "Lucilia - help with species ID" or the like. However, with that small pic you will not get a definite species name.
Lucilia, though very frequent, is difficult; we need to see the leg and thorax bristles as well as the wing base (basicosta). If your camera doesn't allow for higher magnification you will have problems to get exact species names for many of your flies (if this is ever possible basing on just photos and no collected specimens). I changed my pocket camera for a bridge camera equipped with a Raynox macrolens when I saw I couldn't depict details of flies that were smaller than 5 mm body length.
Nevertheless enjoy the forum!
Regards, Sundew
Posted by Larry Shone on 11-05-2010 11:55
#8
Sundew wrote:
If you get an ID, change the title of your thread ("edit" button) to attract other experts. In this case, you could name it, e. g., "Lucilia - help with species ID" or the like. However, with that small pic you will not get a definite species name. Lucilia, though very frequent, is difficult; we need to see the leg and thorax bristles as well as the wing base (basicosta). If your camera doesn't allow for higher magnification you will have problems to get exact species names for many of your flies (if this is ever possible basing on just photos and no collected specimens). I changed my pocket camera for a bridge camera equipped with a Raynox macrolens when I saw I couldn't depict details of flies that were smaller than 5 mm body length.
Nevertheless enjoy the forum!
Regards, Sundew
Thanks, will do. I have two cameras, a Panasonic FZ7 Bridge camera, used to take this, and a Canon 10D DSLR with macro lens. But even with the macro lens I wouldnt be able to get any closer as the fly would be off!
Edited by Larry Shone on 11-05-2010 11:55
Posted by Sundew on 11-05-2010 17:51
#9
My lens allows for maximum magnification at a distance of 20 cm. This is usually tolerated by the flies, if you move slowly and do not cast a shadow on them :).
Posted by Larry Shone on 12-05-2010 11:08
#10
Sundew wrote:
My lens allows for maximum magnification at a distance of 20 cm. This is usually tolerated by the flies, if you move slowly and do not cast a shadow on them :).
Sorry to go off topic here but what focal length is that lens? 20cm thats 8 inches. At a good enough magnification to show relevant details my 100mm macro lens would be practically on top of the fly, which it wouldnt tolerate.
Posted by Sundew on 12-05-2010 11:40
#11
Google "Raynox DCR-150 Macro Scan" for technical details. See e. g.
http://www.buzzil...al-reviews (that's no advert, and I don't get percentage :D!) However, that Raynox lens works really fine. There is also a DCR-250 Super Macro, cp.
http://www.raynox...r250eg.htm, but depth of focus is much lower and distance to fly shorter.
Posted by Larry Shone on 12-05-2010 12:27
#12
Sundew wrote:
Google "Raynox DCR-150 Macro Scan" for technical details. See e. g.
http://www.buzzil...al-reviews (that's no advert, and I don't get percentage :D!) However, that Raynox lens works really fine. There is also a DCR-250 Super Macro, cp.
http://www.raynox...r250eg.htm, but depth of focus is much lower and distance to fly shorter.
Ah Raynox, heard that name before! Very nice but very $$$!
I can't afford to buy gear at the moment, my macro lens was given to me years ago and 'my' Canon 10D was loaned to me by a friend on a photography forum.
Edited by Larry Shone on 12-05-2010 12:28
Posted by Sundew on 12-05-2010 16:54
#13
Ah Raynox, heard that name before! Very nice but very $$$!
Well, the macro lens's prize rose from 38 Euros I paid some years ago to 50 Euros at the moment, but I think that's really cheap for a good equipment :D.
Posted by Larry Shone on 12-05-2010 16:56
#14
Sundew wrote:
Ah Raynox, heard that name before! Very nice but very $$$!
Well, the macro lens's prize rose from 38 Euros I paid some years ago to 50 Euros at the moment, but I think that's really cheap for a good equipment :D.
Ah I saw the links- I must be thinking of another brand!