Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Bibionidae - large species on coast
Posted by nick upton on 23-05-2011 19:23
#1
OK this one is a bibionid for sure (or a sure as i ever am), but is it possible to ID at least to genus? Maybe tricky from photos only. There were swarms of these big March flies (mostly females that I saw) feeding on Alexanders umbel flowers (Smyrnium olusatrum) on windy coastal cliffs in north Cornwall.
10.4.11 c11mm Near Plozeath, N Cornwall UK.
Posted by nick upton on 23-05-2011 19:24
#2
Profile view:
Posted by Sundew on 23-05-2011 20:22
#3
Big, black, hairy - why not
Bibio marci female?
Posted by nick upton on 23-05-2011 22:15
#4
Many thanks Sundew. Im glad you're around again to help with IDs. I nearly suggested that species as i came across many photos that look right, but then many species in the gallery look similar to me! But if Bibio marci is a common, large, black hairy species, that's probably what it is, and l've found lots of records for it in Cornwall now too and descriptions of the dancing flight of males with dangling legs, which i also saw.
Posted by Sundew on 23-05-2011 22:26
#5
Well, Theo Zeegers ist the
Bibio expert! My guesses are mainly based on jizz. However, the gallery photos should not puzzle you - you only have to compare the females (those with the small eyes) :D. There are not many that are completely black (including hairs) and have dark wings.
Posted by Zeegers on 25-05-2011 21:12
#6
Well, all things are relative,
I've seen a few species of Bibionidae
And I totally agree with marci female
Theo
Posted by nick upton on 26-05-2011 18:26
#7
Many thanks Sundew and Theo. I probably go too much on jizz and not enough on wing venation and subtle morphological characters when it comes to IDs, but it seems that all the evidence points to B. marci.