Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Besseria sp.?

Posted by Rui Andrade on 14-07-2009 18:20
#1

I saw many of these tachinids in dunes in Viana do Castelo, North of Portugal. It reminds me of Besseria, could that be correct?

date: 07/07/2009

img36.imageshack.us/img36/7084/73148468.jpg

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 14-07-2009 18:21
#2

i think so imho.

Posted by Zeegers on 15-07-2009 18:54
#3

Definitely an excellent picture of a Besseria.
Difficult genus, might be either dimidiata or reflexa


Theo

Posted by Rui Andrade on 15-07-2009 19:30
#4

Thanks Jorge and Theo.

Theo, what would you need in order to decide between one of them?

Posted by Zeegers on 15-07-2009 20:59
#5

That will be very difficult.
I'll check and come back to you.

Theo

Posted by ChrisR on 16-07-2009 08:52
#6

Just a quick quote from T&H:
4. Peristome dusted white. Frontal stripe with a yellow ground colour. Middle tibia with 2 inner bristles, the upper often much weaker. Males: tergite 5 with short upright hairs; cerci-surstyli complex 2 - 3x as long as the epandrium, roof-like developed, inside with a ring of yellow scale hairs. Females: tergites 2 and 3 ventrally with a spine field.................dimidiata Zett.
- Peristome at least in its front half shiny black. Frontal stripe in the ground colour black. Middle tibia with 1 inner bristle. Males: tergite 5 dorsally hairless, smooth and shiny; cerci and surstyli a little shorter than the epandrium, without yellow scale hairs. Females: spine field only present on tergite 2..............reflexa R.D.

So a closer view of the legs or head at different angles would be useful :)

Edited by ChrisR on 16-07-2009 08:53

Posted by Rui Andrade on 17-07-2009 14:54
#7

Thanks Chris:). I have some specimens with me, later I'll have a look at them.

Posted by Zeegers on 17-07-2009 19:45
#8

This was what I had to look up, thanks
This clearly suggests reflexa.
Still, a lateral headshot would be useful


Theo

Posted by Rui Andrade on 20-07-2009 18:37
#9

Ok, finally some photos. They show two different specimens.

Specimen 1:

img8.imageshack.us/img8/8000/be1e.jpg

img8.imageshack.us/img8/5457/be2llt.jpg

img8.imageshack.us/img8/4191/be3a.jpg

Here is a photo of the middle left tibia viwed from behind:
img9.imageshack.us/img9/3006/bet1.jpg

Specimen 2:

img8.imageshack.us/img8/1908/be4k.jpg

img27.imageshack.us/img27/2665/be5.jpg

img27.imageshack.us/img27/1044/be6p.jpg

Middle left tibia viewed in this case from the front:
img9.imageshack.us/img9/6858/bet2.jpg

Posted by Zeegers on 21-07-2009 20:10
#10

so, definitely dimidiata and not reflexa.

The black on the gena is missing, moreover, the erect hairs on tergite 5 of the male (first specimen) is excellently illustrated !


Theo

Posted by Rui Andrade on 21-07-2009 20:49
#11

Thank you for your help Theo! I think it's a new species for Portugal. The only two species known so far are B. lateritia and B. zonaria.

Posted by Zeegers on 22-07-2009 16:56
#12

Portugal has been poorly studied (uptill now, of course, guys !) and it is known from Spain. I can't say I'm surprised.


Theo