Thread subject: Diptera.info :: A Bulgarian Horsefly (Tabanidae)

Posted by Alan Outen on 14-08-2011 13:43
#1

This was one of five (perhaps six) species of Horseflies that I photographed in Bulgaria recently, all of them joining us on our coach! I have speciemnes of all of them. I think this attractive one is an Atylotus sp., perhaps Atylotus loewianus but would welcome confirmation of this or alternative suggestions from those more experienced than I am.

Many thanks

Alan

Posted by Alan Outen on 14-08-2011 13:45
#2

here is a secongd image

Posted by Alan Outen on 14-08-2011 13:46
#3

....and herewith a third image

Posted by Alan Outen on 14-08-2011 13:47
#4

..and another. I have many more views of this species.

Posted by Zeegers on 14-08-2011 15:40
#5

Hi Alan

Are you very 100 % sure this is all the same individual ?
Since the first one has elongated antennae and yellowish notopleural lobes (thus: Atylotus loewianus), whereas the third one has short antennae and grey notopleural lobes (thus: A. fulvus).
That bothers me.

Theo

Posted by Alan Outen on 15-08-2011 09:46
#6

Very many thanks Theo and YES you are absolutely correct in that I was working with two specimens thinking in my limited experience that they were the same.

Never having seen one of this genus previously I have now seen and photographed two! All I have to do is sort out which of the 30 or so images I took are which species and I have to confess that even knowing there are two different species and the distinctions between them I am still finding it difficult to ascertain which is which!

Very many thanks again.

Alan