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Well, now that I have invested in the splendid Platypezidae of Europe book, I need to find some specimens. I have rarely come across this family. Can anyone suggest how to find them in the field. I assume sweeping leaves of trees in woodlands is a good way to find them? Any other hints?

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Platypezidae seems to become "a la mode" :D
P.S. Nigel, do not forget make woodfire for Microsania!

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I'm no platypezid expert, but my tip is to find a sheltered glade with broad leaves (sycamore is great) and lots of honeydew - you could try spraying sugar solution on leaves if the ladybirds have eaten all the aphids. The platypezids will run around on the leaves imbibing honeydew in the sun. (What a life!) They can be swept, but I find I have more success targeting them individually.
Also look for large fungi which may be attracting adults, or may be filled with larvae - they are quite distinctive and can be fairly easily reared.

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Hi Nikita and Tony,
Thanks for the advice. The "honeydew" spray idea sounds interesting. I'll definitely give tis a try and if I can get myself organised enough I might try starting a fire for Microsania:o

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I think I should add something here Nigel.

In a period from May 19 to September 25, 2007, 131 specimens of Platypezidae collected in Naro-Fominsk district of Moscow region (Russia) were mounted (some were discarded because of poor condition). They belong to at least 15 spp. of 7 genera (some IDs are yet to be confirmed), all photographed and images are or will be submitted for the Gallery soon. Both sexes of most species were eventually found. Of these, only collecting Microsania attracted to smoke was a real piece o'cake, once you've learned where to find them. It was different for many of the rest of them, excluding maybe Callomiya at the peak of their flight time (late May to late June), and generally implied hours of excessive sweeping under forest's canopy, plus some devotion for sure. All these toils very often yielded just a couple of flies. Curiously enough, none of these specimens (except Microsania) were observed and/or collected on leaves or fungi, I saw them only in my net and, quite rarely, in flight. Now I understand that it was probably due to the fact that I totally ignored morning hours and waited for the dew to disappear; normally, I headed for the hunt well after the noon. A tip, though: stick to a place where some flies were initially found, the chances that you'll find more here one day are good. During a trip to Sochi (Krasnodar Territory) in late October, many dozens of at least 9 spp. were collected exactly when and where they should be (see Tony's post). I believe that, in the course of long-term observations in appropriate habitats, the list of visited species would include most of woody plants in the region. These were not necessarily broad-leaved ones (but some certainly were, like young Paulownia tomentosa in a park), sometimes even on the contrary (like Ceanothus cultivar (Rhamnaceae) in the same park). The most interesting find, in terms of habitats, was made on the very first day (October 20), when a single female of Lindneromyia hungarica was swept right in the middle of Imeretinskaya Bay (pasture mixed with disturbed ground near dwellings at seashore), without any forest closer than a mile or so, just some trees (and bamboos) several hundred meters away. On several occasions, I also saw Platypezidae coming to wet soil in a small path among Rubus idaeus bushes.

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I always found Platypezidae near trees. Acacias, lemon trees, etc. And you can find them in shadowy places as well.

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In contrast with Black, I found/observed some females of Lindneromyia dorsalis directly on Agaricus sp. mushrooms walking and ovipositing between the gills (that was really valued experience for me :)). I also reared these L. dorsalis and very similar L. hungarica from various species of Agaricus (A. arvensis mostly), in one case it was hundrets of individuals from one fruting body of this fungus.
Very easy for me was rearing of Paraplatypeza atra from very common fungus Pluteus cervinus, I have many reared specimens from numerous fruiting bodies and we agreed on (with two Czech Platypezid specialist) that this fly is most common Platypezid in Czech Republic.
I found some Agathomyia sp. too, A. wankowiczii as larvae in galls of Ganoderma lipiense (syn G. apllanatum), adult rearing is still in progress. And one female of A. unicolor on Bjernadera adusta.
Everything was in various woodland habitats, also in coniferous or mixed forests.
I never found some Platipezidae fly by sweeping or on some leaves :(

PS: I'am very interested in exchanging material/literature and advices how to collect/find specific species of Platypezidae. So be free if you want to know some details of my rearings etc.