Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Bronze Colored Doli, no, Ephydridae
Posted by Stephen on 29-10-2006 16:09
#1
I think this is a particularly nice looking Doli. Can anyone ID it beyond the family level?
Is it possible to tell the sex from the photo?
At the edge of a pond, surrounded by woodlands, West Virginia USA, 24 July 2006.
Edited by Stephen on 08-11-2006 22:19
Posted by Tony Irwin on 29-10-2006 17:13
#2
This is
Pelina (Ephydridae) - my Nearctic keys are at work, so I'll need to get back to you on this. Female I think.
Posted by Stephen on 30-10-2006 11:00
#3
My ID of the three flies I posted today were Muscidae, Dolichopodidae, and an unknown. With your guidance I learn that in fact they were Anthromyiidae and two Ephydridae. :D
As always I appreciate your help with these. I am learning so much!
I must admit on this one I jumped to a conclusion based on the bronzy color that seemed right for a Dolichopodidae, and habitat that also seemed right. Since the fly was on a shore, though, I should have also thought of Ephydridae (Shore Fly)!
Edited by Stephen on 30-10-2006 11:01
Posted by Tony Irwin on 08-11-2006 18:07
#4
Ooops!. You know those picture puzzles which show you a common object from an unusual angle? ...
This isn't
Pelina, but rather
Ochthera. As it has its mantid-like forlegs hidden, I was un.. [that's no excuse! - I should have noticed the thickness of that front femur!]
In Clausen's revision of the genus, two species are recorded from West Virginia, and the dark front tarsi suggest that this is
O.anatolikos. This should be regarded as a provisional det., since other species might well occur there and many are difficult to separate without recourse to genitalia studies.
Posted by Stephen on 08-11-2006 22:16
#5
Thanks for the update, Tony. I've changed my records. I'm also going to change the title of this post so it no longer says Dolichopodidae!
Mantid-like front legs? I can see this is another species I am going to have to crawl on my belly in the mud for, to photograph it in profile!
Posted by Tony Irwin on 08-11-2006 23:47
#6
It's well worth it - see
http://www.dipter...oto_id=560, although admittedly Nikita's mud was probably a bit warmer than yours! :D
Posted by Stephen on 09-11-2006 01:09
#7
Very cool, like a Mantid version of Arnold Schwarzeneggar (who was reelected governor of California yesterday, by the way)!
Posted by Tony Irwin on 09-11-2006 22:25
#8
Yep, it's all there - massive fore-limbs, very photogenic, great tan, tiny intellect. ;)
[ Can I say that Paul? or have I breached the code? ]
Posted by Stephen on 10-11-2006 11:44
#9
While I know we don't want to get into politics, surely an off-hand comment about a movie star isn't amiss.:D