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Is it possible to identify from the picture?

Found on september, Israel.

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I can see it's hard one so at least can anyone maybe know what are the keys for "Tabanus tunicatus" can you approve or contradict it is "Tabanus tunicatus"?

thanks

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Tunicatus is only found in the genus Therioplectes. Very different
(See my 'world' review in Studia DIpterologica).

This is a nice male of Tabanus autumnalis


Theo

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Zeegers,

Check this link http://zipcodezoo...icatus.asp for Tabanus tunicatus. I only asked because it seem to match my distribution map. but I don't have any other identification info.

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Correct, that's the same, nowadays (and for many years, actually) in the genus Therioplectes. No Tabanus ss. (in the modern sense).

The modern sense can, in most cases, be checked here:

http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov:591/diptera/names/searchno.htm


Theo

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Those new names can occasionally confuse :)

So now when we all talk moderen, can you confirm it is not Therioplectes tunicatus?
I also found that "Tabanus autumnalis" has a very similar sp. "Tabanus bovinus" with the range of Europe, Russia, North Africa does "Tabanus autumnalis" match that distribution range? i.e. could appear in israel?

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Theo - I looked at this one and thought T autumnalis, but I didn't post because I seem to remember you saying ages ago that specimens from the Middle East tend to be very orange, and this one is greyer than the ones I get in Essex. Is the colour actually rather variable wherever you are?

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Susan,

your memory is flawless, that's what I said.
And nevertheless, this is a dark male autumnalis, agreed, unusually dark, nevertheless autumnalis.
So I have to revise my opinion in : 'from Turkey and Caucasus up to Afghanistan often very orange'

thanks, I didn't realize it myself !


Theo

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SOrry, overlooked the bovinus-question.

Bovinus is not 'very similar', at least not in my standards:
bovinus has central dorsal triangular spots only, whereas autumnalis has the characteristic 3 rows of triangular spots.


Theo

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Thanks Zeegers,
I'll add it to the gallery.