Diptera.info

Posted by Di-dier on 15-12-2008 20:24

hello all!
Here is a fly in an alleged baltic amber. The stone is sell on ebay. I tried to find an illustration of this shape of antenna in my books without success. Any idea of the family?

Another question: It might be a fake amber or a fake inclusion in amber. I will find out when I will get it and show to a specialist!! Here is the question: Are flies in baltic amber so rare that it is tempting to produce fake inclusions of flies?

Posted by Andrius on 15-12-2008 20:50

Still no photo attached... Maybe your file is too big or something else is wrong with it? :)
Concerning the rarity of flies - there are lots of Dolichopodidae, Empididae as welll as representatives of other families of flies in Baltic amber, so basically there is no need to make fake inclusions. On the other hand, there are only several genuine inclusions with lizards or pieces of frogs, so such kind of fakes would be more expedient :) I don't believe it is possible to make a fake inclusion with fly that would fool a specialist of that family.

Posted by Di-dier on 18-12-2008 17:41

I can't attach the picture. Here is the link. Note the unusual shape of antenna

http://picasaweb.google.com/succinium/FossilAmber75127739#5270276786606696402

Posted by Tony Irwin on 18-12-2008 18:23

It is Dolichopodidae. Igor may recognise the genus - it's worth changing the title of the thread to include Dolichopodidae to attract his attention.
I think you are right to be cautious about whether it is a fake. It's difficult to be sure when looking at a picture, but the fact that the thoracic bristles have been displaced forwards makes me suspicious of this one.

Posted by Paul Beuk on 19-12-2008 15:25

Looks like a genuine enough Dolichopodidae to me. Distortion like that, of seta being bent in unnatural positions, can occur when force is applied to the resin before it is completely hardened. Similarly, pressure on the resin can cause fractures in the stone (like can be seen in the picture) but it can also result in specimens appearing to be completely shattered and put together again like a jigsaw puzzle.