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Sassari (Baratz), Sardinia 1/08/2010. dimensions: around 9 mm.
Thanks in advance for your help.

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Looks interesting. I can't see an eyeband and the antenna is very black.

If this is it, I can't help you


Theo

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spindle shaped median callus suggests bromius group or bovinus group

I can just about make out the pattern on the abdomen; there are sublateral patches and pale median ones which would suggest autumnalis. autumnalis is one of the most widespread tabanids in Europe.

Unless of course, Theo has spotted something which proves otherwise :)

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It is supposed to 9 mm. I have little doubt it is bigger, more like 12 mm., but for autumnalis we are talking about 17 mm.

I agree that the white palpus, black antenna, callus shape, yellow notopleural lobes and possibly the abdominal pattern (difficult to see) and of course the lack of eye band suggest autumnalis.

But then it really really has to be bigger than 9 mm.

Theo

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thanks for your interest,
it is possible that I have sub-esteemed the size,
but in the background of the photo it is the weft of my jeans
(it wanted to sting me through them).

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well, it looks about at least 30 threads long - just need to measure your jeans:D

The general colouration does seem a lot browner than the autumnalis I have from Sardinia, but then photos can exaggerate colour differences.

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and the brown in autumnalis is very very variable in southern Europe (abb. brunnescens)


Theo

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30 threads long = 10,05 mm.

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IN that case, you were right after all and autumnalis is out of the question. It looks very interesting (?darimonti), but I'm really not going to speculate.

Theo

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My apologies Pietro for doubting your estimate - you have posted many excellent photos with lots of accurate info:)

Theo, could you say Tabanus regularis was a possibility , without speculating of course:)

regards,
Steve

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I thought about regularis, but I thought the frontal stripe was too broad. I will check to be more sure.


Theo