Diptera.info

Posted by nick upton on 26-11-2010 23:52

Can anyone confirm that this small beefly is a Geron sp. and maybe suggest a likely species name?

They were very numerous, repeatedly hovering and landing on thistle flowers. Some had almost bald thoraxes, but were just worn versions of this furry individual i think.

23.7.10 c7mm Croatia, coastal limestone habitat near Zadar.

Posted by rvanderweele on 01-12-2010 22:59

Interesting. The photo is taken in Croatia. As far as I know species of Geron are not recorded from Hungary. I know from the cat. of Pal. Diptera you may expect them there. More information about this genus is welcome to me.

I am not even sure whether it is a Geron, but I think it is. I am curious for the opinion of those with more experience in Bombyliidae

Posted by rvanderweele on 01-12-2010 23:26

There are quite a number of species in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. Is there a revision of the W. Pal. species with drawings of the genitalia?

Posted by nick upton on 02-12-2010 21:14

Thanks Ruud and Jorge. I can't comment on the revisions, but have found this record/photo of another Geron sp. from Croatia http://www.biolib.cz/en/image/id3230/ The Croatian coastal region is very Mediterranean in climate, and the area where I found it (between Posedarje and Vinjerac in Zadar province) looks very like much of Greece with lots of bare limestone outcrops and maquis vegetation, and what survives there may differ a good deal from Hungary which would have much colder winters/ different botany. I'll put it down as a Geron sp. and leave others to investigate genitalia of flies from this region!

Posted by rvanderweele on 02-12-2010 21:37

You are right regarding your remark regarding the climate of Hungary, yet the climate close to Pecs, not far from the Croatian border, comes very close to Mediterranean. But true, this is only a very small part of Hungary, yet a beautiful part....with very good wines...but that is off-topic I believe.

Posted by nick upton on 02-12-2010 21:40

Oh yes.... I worked in Austria for a few months once and was well introduced to some very good Hungarian wines...! Grown near some big lake if I remember right. Must find an excuse to visit some time.!.

Posted by rvanderweele on 02-12-2010 22:13

No, no, no, okay off-topic, but nevermind....the wines around lake Balaton are okayish...I think....but the real good stuff are the Villanyi wines. These are excellent and the region of the wines is beautiful and very good for collecting flies!