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This is my third Empis sp., but it has never been possible to identify, so now I hope that's the good one ;)

BTW this time I have the specimen, if someone want to ID it, I'll send it.

Long about 5-6 mm

12.04.2013 - Padua - Northeast Italy


IMG_1523 di Marcello Consolo, su Flickr


IMG_1513 di Marcello Consolo, su Flickr


IMG_1510 di Marcello Consolo, su Flickr

Thanks for the help!

Ciao,
Marcello

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Now I have 6 specimen if someone want to identificate it :)

Paul ...

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... reminds me of E. pennipes, but this is not a definite identification knowing how tricky Empididae can be

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certainly not pennipes! Marcello, if you want you can send a specimen to me. I can try to identify it, but it is not easy for danceflies from Southern Europe. But if Paul Beuk is rather looking forward to look at specimens, you may consider to send it to him.

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The first time I found this Empis sp. I was almost sure that it was the E. pennipes because we don't have many specie here and the pennipes was the one that look similar (a part the rostrum) :) but many experts sayd not itsn't!
Now, I waited for the spring and I found a lot, but really a lot ... at least 200-300 in 150-200 m2! I Never seen all this Empis here.

Thanks for trying!

Ciao,
Marcello

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Hi Ruud,

I know this is not E. pennipes, I tryed for two times to identificate it but nothing ...
The strange thing is that this year we have a lot of them, I never seen all this Empis togheter and 90% females!. Infact I have 6 specimens all females and "maybe" 1 male.
I saw at least 30-35 subjects in a few of meters and there was 1 male only. I don't know too much things about the Empididae but for me it sound strange, Maybe because the weather? Is it normal? I don't know.

Here we have many species not identificate/unknown, so it's very hard to identify, but I will send one to you of course. I'll send you an email.

Thanks!

Ciao,
Marcello

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If you are able to read German I can send you the treatment of Empididae by Engel (From "Die Fliegen der paläarktischen Region) I know, that this is not up to date, but especially in southern Europe it is still a place to start with.

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PM sent.

Thanks for your help!

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I would not mind having a look at some specimens but you increase the likelyhood of an identification if you have males (the ones without pennate legs). You will find the address HERE.

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Well, right now I don't know if I have a male too, I have to look better because i saw a subject without the pennate legs, but the abdomen was too much similar to the female, but it's not a problem, I 'll back there in 5 minutes and I'll take a male (I hope);)

In the mean time thank you for your help and I'll say you when the package is ready.

Hello,
Marcello

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Here is the male too, and later I'll post the copula (strange position and behavior)

IMG_2180 di Marcello Consolo, su Flickr

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Here is the first couple in copula.


IMG_2185 di Marcello Consolo, su Flickr

There we can see the "nuptial gift" (Thanks Paul and Ruud) for the female :)

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Another couple in copula with the nuptial gift .

IMG_2224 di Marcello Consolo, su Flickr


IMG_2231 di Marcello Consolo, su Flickr

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The last couple in copula, always with the nuptial gift present ;)


IMG_2285 di Marcello Consolo, su Flickr

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Nice pictures! Now all I need to do is get the correct name. ;)

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Thanks Paul :)

Package sent.

I'm curious ;)

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Parcel arrived today. I do not think it is going to be an easy one... ;)

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Well, I knew it, but I hope you will find the specie , or maybe it's a new one ;)

Thank you!

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Very nice. New species for me. Empis gooti. I studied the genitalia. Very nice fit. I think it is new to Italy.

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Sorry, I am not able to make a nicer, clearer photo. My equipment (and skills) are not good enough.

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again

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Wow, that's great!!! Really fantastic photo :)

So can we confirm that it's E. gooti?

BTW I see it's not very common in Europe, and never seen in Italy!

I'm sending you an email...

Thank you ;)

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Not necesaary to be too enthusiastic, Marcello. I think with some effort you may find some more new species of Empididae from Italy.
I don't know how common or uncommon it is. Very few people collect these small Empis specimens. They all look so much the same.

And no, buddy, the photo is not fantastic! The photo is rather.....s..t! But today I order and adapter for between my microscope and the Iphone, so hopefully the quantily will be better in a few weeks.

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Yes, I know ... Some time ago I found other 2 species of Empididae unknown, but I didn't collect them.
And yes again, here we don't have too much people interested in Diptera, just someone in Sirphydae.

Don't matter about the photo, I wish I could obtain such magnification ;)

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It certainly belongs in the group with E. gooti. Just like Ruud I first started comparing with E. bicuspidata but the genitalia were too far off. Indeed, from the species I have seen, E. gooti seems closest, but I have, for example, not yet found the time to see if the female is also a good fit. U nfortun ately, I will not be able to do that in the next 10-14 day (all material an equipment are in the office and I am not). ;)

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Hi Paul.

I have done some research, just for to look at some pictures of the E. gooti, but I can't find any picture around the web. Now I'm searching it on some books.

Paul, thank you for your help and the time you spent for it, I'll wait for your response. Ruud have done a great work too ;)

I hope one day to get closer to your skill/competence ;)

If you need another couple of this Empis sp. just ask and I'll send it.

Have a nice weekend,
Marcello

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Another male to further prepare genitalia would be welcome. ;)

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Hi Paul. sure, I'll send it tomorrow or Thursday!

Thanks ;)

Ciao,
Marcello

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I looked first at the female and compared it with bicuspidata. But there was certainly no fit. After looking at the males and coming to the conclusion that it looked quite okay, I looked at the females. I am quite convinced again it is gooti. But I also would like to see a second male. As soon as I received it I will study it. The problem is, though, on Saturday we leave for a short vacation. Hopefully I will have been able to study it before.

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Hi Ruud!

Yes, from the genitalia shot it look like identic! You have done really a great work.
I think the package will come before Saturday ;) Otherwise ... we will wait after the vacations, no problem.

Thanks again Ruud!

Ciao,
Marcello