Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Tachinidae - Cylindromyia bicolor?

Posted by nick upton on 06-06-2010 22:28
#1

Can anyone confirm this tentative ID of a Corsican Tachinid.

4th June 2010 c10mm feeding on Umbel flowers by mountain stream, Corsica c500m.

Posted by nick upton on 06-06-2010 22:30
#2

In profile:

Posted by ChrisR on 06-06-2010 23:15
#3

Yes, well done - C.bicolor - the only one with a red-tipped abdomen :)

Did you see any other tachs?

Edited by ChrisR on 06-06-2010 23:16

Posted by nick upton on 07-06-2010 07:43
#4

Hi Chris. Many thanks for the quick confirmation. Yes, there are a few more to come, but I posted what i thought might be the easiest tachinid to be sure of first!

Posted by ChrisR on 07-06-2010 08:51
#5

Good news - in my experience C.bicolor also tend to be quite large too, when compared to most of the other Cylindromyia, so they should be very visible in the field. :)

Posted by nick upton on 07-06-2010 09:54
#6

Yes, they were pretty obvious and there were quite a few of them (and many other things) around. Didn't know where to point the lens next...

Posted by ChrisR on 07-06-2010 10:43
#7

When you get to that stage I'd recommend breaking out the net ;)

Also, with things like Cylindromyia, Gymnosoma, Leucostoma and Eliozeta/Clytiomya, people often stop when they have caught a couple because they think they are catching the same thing. But I usually recommend catching at least 5 of each "thing" per location, per 2-3 week period, just because there is always more than one species and sometimes you need a particular sex. :)

Posted by nick upton on 07-06-2010 18:42
#8

All good points, and yes I know collecting would help to make sure...... but I rarely pack a net and vials and a 3 week trip and Ryanair luggage limitations meant the camera gear and clothes got priority...

Posted by ChrisR on 07-06-2010 20:17
#9

Ahh, yes - the airlines certainly like to get you there but they just don't want you to take anything with you! ;)