Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Unknown black fly (09.03.16) --> Earomyia sp. (Lonchaeidae)
Posted by Juergen Peters on 10-03-2016 19:07
#1
Hello,
I'm not sure about the family of this hairy black fly. About 4 mm, on a beech log in forest (northwest Germany).
Edited by Juergen Peters on 10-03-2016 19:28
Posted by Juergen Peters on 10-03-2016 19:07
#2
Pic #2
Posted by Juergen Peters on 10-03-2016 19:08
#3
Pic #3
Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 10-03-2016 19:13
#4
Earomyia species (Lonchaeidae).
Posted by Juergen Peters on 10-03-2016 19:20
#5
Hello Stephane,
Stephane Lebrun wrote:
Earomyia species (Lonchaeidae).
thanks! You were too fast... :D I just wanted to add a remark, that the fly reminded me most of the
Earomyia lonchaeoides which at that time (and since the end of February) were numerous at an in the forest (see also picture below). But this one seemed different to me - more glossy, more hairy and more black.
Posted by Iain MacGowan on 11-03-2016 11:36
#6
Hi Juergen
All these early spring hairy
Earomyia with darkened wings would appear to be
Earomyia lonchaeoides - but as in so many other cases there may actually be more than one species "hiding" within what is thought to be one common species. The only way to sort it out would be to collect males and compare genitalia.
You seem to have found a good forest for this species - nothing is really known about its larval habitat or ecology - any further observations you make about females looking to lay eggs would be most useful
best wishes ........... Iain
Posted by Juergen Peters on 11-03-2016 20:55
#7
Hello Iain,
Iain MacGowan wrote:
All these early spring hairy Earomyia with darkened wings would appear to be Earomyia lonchaeoides - but as in so many other cases there may actually be more than one species "hiding" within what is thought to be one common species.
according to "Entomofauna Germanica" and "Fauna Euopaea" there are 5 species of
Earomyia listed for Germany:
E. lonchaeoides,
E. crystallophila,
impossibile,
tomskensis and
viridana.
You seem to have found a good forest for this species - nothing is really known about its larval habitat or ecology - any further observations you make about females looking to lay eggs would be most useful
The abundance of this species (complex) seems to vary from year to year. In some years I only find them at a single place at the border of a mixed forest (mainly beeches, pines and larches), in other years (like 2016) I find more of them all over the forest. In one season several years ago they occured in quantities all over the region, even at fence stakes many meters away from the forest. But I have never seen them doing anything other than sitting on tree trunks (or stakes) in the sun. :|
Posted by Iain MacGowan on 12-03-2016 13:00
#8
Hi Jeurgen
thanks for the interesting information about
E. lonchaeoides I may have confused you with what I said earlier - with hairy eyes and deep cheeks below the eye. Your photo is most probably E. lonchaeoides - but a darker hairier form than normal or perhaps a slim chance that it is closely related unknown species. Its not any other European Earomyia as none of these have the deep cheeks
Iain