Diptera.info

Posted by Jeroen K on 18-08-2010 13:08

Found lots of these flies in my kitchen, Kapellen, Belgium. I think it is Drosophila melanogaster, but are there other species it can be easily confused with (melanogaster, subobscura, obscura, phalerata, busckii and immigrans are known for Belgium)? Thanks in advance!

Posted by Jeroen K on 19-08-2010 12:04

OK, thanks Paul. The way you say it makes me think it could also be something else. Which species can't be excluded and what information is needed to be certain on this one?

Posted by Jan Willem on 19-08-2010 14:50

@Paul: I noticed you already use Sophophora as genus name for melanogaster. I now the ICZN has rejected the designation of Drosophila melanogaster as type species of the genus Drosophila. But has the genus Drosophila officially been split up in several genera in the meantime? If so, could you provide a reference?

Thanks in advance.

@Jeroen: I know that Drosophila simulans looks very similar to Drosophila melanogaster (or should I say
Sophophora simulans and Sophophora melanogaster ??). I don't know if both species are found indoors? I found both species together in the same beer trap samples.

Edited by Jan Willem on 19-08-2010 14:58

Posted by Jeroen K on 19-08-2010 15:23

Jan Willem wrote:
@Paul: I noticed you already use Sophophora as genus name for melanogaster. I now the ICZN has rejected the designation of Drosophila melanogaster as type species of the genus Drosophila. But has the genus Drosophila officially been split up in several genera in the meantime? If so, could you provide a reference?

Indeed, I would ask the same after the identity of my specimen was confirmed.

Jan Willem wrote:
@Jeroen: I know that Drosophila simulans looks very similar to Drosophila melanogaster (or should I say
Sophophora simulans and Sophophora melanogaster ??). I don't know if both species are found indoors? I found both species together in the same beer trap samples.

D./S. simulans isn't in the database of Waarnemingen.be (Belgian website for nature observations) but that's not very meaningful because that database lacks many Diptera. Anyway, thanks for your help.

Posted by KimvdLinde on 19-08-2010 17:23

Either Drosophila melanogaster or Drosophila simulans. Without the genitalia, they are pretty much inseparable. generally, melanogaster is more likely at lower temperatures, while similans becomes more abundant at higher temperatures. if this is for Belgium/Netherlands, I think you are save assuming melanogaster. As for the genus name, that is still Drosophila. The revision has not been published yet.

The difference in the genitalia is best observed when looking from the side at them. melanogaster has a short hook sticking out, while similans has a substantially larger hook sticking out. See image at http://drosophila...iendly/3/5

Posted by Jan Willem on 19-08-2010 18:39

@Kim: Thank you for the information. However I don't know if your remark that it's save to assume it is melanogaster in Belgium/the Netherlands, is valid. In my beer trap samples (in the Netherlands) simulans was by far more abundant than melanogaster.