Posted by Stephen on 24-03-2011 12:30
#1
When I first saw this brown fly I thought Drosopholidae, but then I thought Lauxaniidae.
Either way, I wonder why it doesn't seem to have scutellar bristles (or maybe they are just hard to see)?
Chiquiri province, Panama, northern highlands, forest surrounded by coffee plantation, 9 March 2011. Measured 4.2 mm to apex of wing.
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Thanks to Paul who fixed the problems when I posted the wrong picture with this description, earlier this morning!
Posted by Paul Beuk on 24-03-2011 13:23
#2
It is a lauxaniid. The lateral scutallars are clearly visible, though they follow the outline of the scutellem which makes them less conspicuous than they truely are. Magnifying the image it looks as if there are apical scutellar setae but (to our European standard) they are uncharacteristacally fine, rather hair-like.
Posted by Stephen on 24-03-2011 14:47
#3
Silly me, what I thought were the lateral edges of the scutellum (two dark lines) were actually the scutellar bristles! Thank-you Paul.