Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Tephritida from Black.

Posted by Kahis on 28-04-2006 18:20
#2

Hi!

It's Chetostoma stackelbergi!

By change I collected one of these from Lohja in southern Finland a few days ago. The species was found in Finland for the first time only a few years ago, but since then several new finds have surfaced from several sites in southern and central parts of this country. It may be an authentic new arrival here. I have trouble believing that the old masters would have missed such a large (for a tephritid) and boldly patterned fly. The flying time is mid-spring in Finland (ie. right now), making it twice as conspicuous among the otherwise rather dull spring fauna. Perhaps the gradual climate change with earlier springs in N Europe has allowed this beautiful and biologically interting species to expand it's distribution.

According to Merz's book on Central European tephritis this species is rare everywhere and usually found only as single specimens. It's definitely a good find! Hooray for BlackB)

Edited by Kahis on 28-04-2006 18:21