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Posted by conopid on 28-11-2011 10:02

I can't key this Tachinid, even though it is very distinctive. It has extensive setae along veins R1, R2+3 and CuA1.

Length: 9mm
Arista and eyes bare.
Wales 27 July.

Posted by conopid on 28-11-2011 11:08

Must admit I thought it might be Bithia, but my previously named specimen of Bithia does not have the seate on the veins (unless I have incorrectly determined the previous specimen). (I have other specimens not yet placed in the collection, so I'll seek them out and compare.

I can't get it to run satisfactorily to anything else with Belshaw, so maybe this is Bithia (it certainly feels familiar!)

Should Bithia have alll those setae on the wing? Seems odd that Belshaw does not mention them, it's such a distinctive feature, or perhaps it is an inconsistent feature?

Posted by conopid on 28-11-2011 11:23

Looking at images on UK Tachinidae site and I think this must be Bithia, but look at the shallow angle of M1 in this specimen in the top photo?

Just an abberant Bithia spreta perhaps?

Edited by conopid on 28-11-2011 11:27

Posted by ChrisR on 28-11-2011 13:33

Yeah, just giving it a quick comparison with the ones I have here, it looks like a Bithia spreta to me. All mine have plenty of hairs on r4+5 and cu and some distally on r1. The overall shape and colour (the brown dusting with faint reddish abdominal side patches) look fine too ... and mine all have quite a shallow angle on the median vein ... maybe 130-degrees.

Edited by ChrisR on 28-11-2011 13:34