The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

Alan Outen · 2010-07-20 13:46:45

I know this sis a large family so dont know if it is practical for identifications from images. Nonetheless my thinking is that if it can be done somebody here will come up with the answers! I do have the specimens.

I have nothing to go on with these except Chinery Insects guide!

On this basis one of these I think may be perhaps be Phagocarpus permundus. It was actually swept from Mugwort, though there was a Hawthorn above it! It was found yesterday, 19 Jul 2010 beside River Ivel Navigation, Clifton, Beds. It does have green eyes with two transverse red bands but was not sufficiently cooperative to permit a side view!

The other specimen was swept from Meadowsweet at Maulden Woods, Beds on 16 July 2010. Again I suspect the plant it was found on may have nothing to do with it!

Any suggestions for these two will, as always, be much appreciated.

Many thanks

Alan

Uploaded Images

Last edited by Alan Outen (2010-07-20 13:49:39)

conopid · 2010-07-20 17:20:18

The first looks like Tephritis bardanae - usually found on Arctium (burdock) and the second is definitely Anamoia purmunda - often associated with hawthorn.

There are two species (Campiglossa absinthii [tiny] and C misella)associated with Artemisia. They have very dark patterning on the wings.

Last edited by conopid (2010-07-20 17:22:01)

Alan Outen · 2010-07-21 11:57:12

Having been out at Chicksands Wood, Bedfordshire yesterday I came home to find your message Nigel. Very many thanks for this. It is evident my confidence was fuly justified! I am glad I got one right (apart from the name change). I will look out for the two Artemisia assiociated species.

By coincidence yesterday at Chicksands Wood I had swept several specimens of both sexes of a small Tephritid from Burdock. These were clearly different from the Tephritis bardanae. In the British Plant Galls book (Redfern & Shirley) I found that there are two Tephritids that gall Arctium. I wonder therefore if this is Terellia tussilaginis. Looking at web images it certainly seems a good match. Perhaps Nigel or someone else would be so kind as to confirm this.

Many thanks

Alan

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conopid · 2010-07-21 17:31:01

Hi Alan,
Yes, well done that is T. tussilaginis. It's very common on burdock and seems to occur on about 30% of burdock plants I inspect at this time of year. The other burdock species, Tephritis bardanae is common but harder to spot as It does not waltz around on the flower heads in full view of anyone who cares to look.

Alan Outen · 2010-07-22 13:45:35

Very many thanks again Nigel.

Are there any other Tephritids which are easily found like this? They are very attractive little things and it is nice to see the adults. I have previously only seen Urophora cardui as a gall on Cirsium vulgare and the leaf mines of Euleia heraclei on my celery plants, but not the adults!

I have requested White's RES Identification guide from the library as it is long out of print. I am getting the bug (Or should it be getting the fly?!!).

Alan

brianh · 2010-07-22 17:01:34

The Tephritid RES keys by White are available from the RES - damaged stock only - for £5 + postage. The damage I think is a musty smell due to damp storage.
Many other of the older as well as the newer keys are available direct from the RES - look online at their website - and either download an order form, or phone them up with your credit card.

Alan Outen · 2010-07-22 19:03:45

Wonderful! I had searched all over the place for a copy to buy but without success,. I have now ordered this. Many thanks Brian for such useful information.

Alan

falky · 2010-07-23 23:35:37

The Tephritis at the start is T. formosa - wing markings too extensive around anal cell for bardanae, also a slightly smaller species with a paler body. A very common species.

Sweep the flowerheads of different knapweed, thistle and ragowrt species and you should find a good variety, but keep a note of which species of plant you swept. Trypeta artemesiae and Oxyna patietina also attack Artemisia

Falky

Alan Outen · 2010-07-24 11:42:40

Many thanks for the useful information

Alan

Mark · 2010-07-26 23:21:56

there is Tephritid RES key on Ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? … 0537914526

Alan Outen · 2010-07-29 01:48:58

Many thanks. I now have a copy of the RES Key (damaged stock) which seems excellent value if anyone else is looking for a copy

Alan

The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

#1 2010-07-20 13:46:45

Two Tephritids

#2 2010-07-20 17:20:18

Re: Two Tephritids

#3 2010-07-21 11:57:12

Re: Two Tephritids

#4 2010-07-21 17:31:01

Re: Two Tephritids

#5 2010-07-22 13:45:35

Re: Two Tephritids

#6 2010-07-22 17:01:34

Re: Two Tephritids

#7 2010-07-22 19:03:45

Re: Two Tephritids

#8 2010-07-23 23:35:37

Re: Two Tephritids

#9 2010-07-24 11:42:40

Re: Two Tephritids

#10 2010-07-26 23:21:56

Re: Two Tephritids

#11 2010-07-29 01:48:58

Re: Two Tephritids

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