Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Tabanidae Chrysops sp
Posted by Susan R Walter on 05-07-2019 14:56
#1
Can anyone identify this Chrysops from this angle? I think it is probably C. caecutiens, based on the combination of dark wing tips and dark legs, but just wondered if anyone had any other thoughts. Photographed 3 July 2019, Loire Valley, central lowland France on a site that centres around an old kaolin pit, now full of water, with heath, scrub and grassland. The site is very wet in winter, very dry in summer. I'd quite like to be able to ID this one, which evaded capture, as it was almost the only fly I saw on the site when surveying. The team I'm working with are hoping to get it listed as a ZNIEFF (a natural zone of interest for its ecology, flora and fauna).
Posted by Susan R Walter on 05-07-2019 14:57
#2
My only other photo of it.
Posted by Zeegers on 07-07-2019 12:35
#3
Yes, I agree, though other angles would have been nice !
Theo
Posted by Susan R Walter on 07-07-2019 16:21
#4
Well, these are the only photos I have. The guy it was sitting on was taller than me, so the angle is not ideal :-) Thanks for your input Theo, valuable as always.
Posted by Zeegers on 09-07-2019 20:33
#5
Ah ! She was sitting on his cap, I guess ?
I thought is was jeans.
Theo
Posted by Susan R Walter on 10-07-2019 06:32
#6
Correct. She was on the dragonfly guy's cap. I was hoping he was going to be super attractive to Tabanids because he was all in dark clothing and swishing around the waters edge, but no, this Chrysops was the only one! Too hot, too windy on the day I guess.
Posted by Zeegers on 11-07-2019 20:24
#7
Chrysops very typically attack the head on people.
Theo
Posted by Susan R Walter on 14-07-2019 20:11
#8
Yes, a cap is very necessary in these wetland habitats.