Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Gymnosoma sp (Tachinidae)

Posted by Susan R Walter on 01-10-2010 20:00
#1

I know this is probably unanswerable, but is it possible to suggest a species for this male Gymnosoma? I wondered about clavatum, but it's just a guess. Photo taken today in my orchard, central lowland France, about 7mm.

Edited by Susan R Walter on 01-10-2010 20:01

Posted by ChrisR on 01-10-2010 20:45
#2

Hmm, with a continuous line of dusting to the tip of the scutellum then I'd make it dolycoridis or desertorum but I'd also need to see genitalia to elliminate clavatum :) Best thing to do is to catch them - lots of them - and then we will know better.

Posted by Susan R Walter on 02-10-2010 08:01
#3

I knew you'd say that ;) I thought afterwards I should have caught to send to you or Theo, but I didn't have anything except the camera (and a bucket for collecting nuts) with me. This is the first one I've seen in the orchard. I'll try to do better next time :)

Posted by ChrisR on 02-10-2010 08:46
#4

Well, my door is always open to tachinid donations! :D Gymnosoma are always a bit nasty though so I wouldn't promise a confident ID ... but a male clavatum would have been easy to say yes/no to from genitalia :)

Posted by Zeegers on 02-10-2010 11:15
#5

Even clavatum is not always easy.... don't underestimate the problems.

This might very well have been clavatum


Theo

Posted by ChrisR on 02-10-2010 18:12
#6

Yes, peering at his genitalia and looking for a light lump is not easy - especially as they are normally hidden amongst the back legs :)