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One for Thomas I guess :)

Norway, 30.04.11

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habitus

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I can't help on this specimen, but nice to see someone making an effort on Sarcophaga. this is one of the groups I want to get better on in 2011. good luck

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Thanks Mark.

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I collect sarcophagids in the summer on days when tachinids are hard to find ;) They are not difficult to work on as long as you set them and fold out the male genitalia while they are fresh and relaxed. The keys are also pretty good (either the rather expensive Sarcophagidae of Fennoscandia and Denmark or Steve Falk's own copy/paste British key, based on a number of sources). I think the group would be much more popular if the keys were cheaper or made available online free.

This looks like a Sarcophaga variegata, with the proviso that I think there are more species in Norway than I am used to here and I haven't keyed it out ;)

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Hi Chris

I'm using "Sarcophagidae of Fennoscandia and Denmark" and seem to be able to put a confident name to about 80%, and hoping to do better with more specimens and experience. I wasn't aware of Steve Falk's Key.

I would add that not only does the genitalia often need to be just set, but set well, so all parts are clearly visible. that and very good lighting. Clearly both these are not a problem for Haken!

Another problem seems to be finding males, I had terrible trouble with this last year. but it seems to be the other way around so far this year. that may be down to finding some good "hill toping" sites (In particular Farley Mount SU403290
)

Mark

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I will keep my variegata label then :)

Thanks