The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

Rachel Hacking · 2010-08-05 01:38:13

Hi, I'm relatively new to Dipterists Forum but have been busy collecting Diptera keys and keying out what I collect. I have been particularly enjoying using the Tephritidae key by White. I caught a Tephritid in Darlington recently and it keeps keying out to Cryptaciura rotundiventris. But can somebody please confirm the designation for this species? I'm a tad confused because the 2 maps I've seen (Laurence Clemons atlas and the NBN Gateway) appear to show less than 16 10km square records. But on the NBN Taxon Designation Database, this fly is listed as Notable (16-100 10km squares). Should this fly not be red-listed? Unfortunately I don't yet own a copy of Steven Falks Review of the Scarce and Threatened Flies, Part 1, I have just searched for it so will order it.

Anyway, any advice would be gratefully received.

Cheers,

Rachel

P.S. I'm more than happy to send the specimen for determination.

conopid · 2010-08-05 15:09:06

Hi Rachael,
Falk's review of scarce diptera says "possibly declining with only three known post 1960 sites" So it's clearly a very uncommon species. There may be post 1991 records though? It's rather surprising that it should be so rare considering its foodplants - various Umbelliferae - are so widespread and abundant. I don't think the recording scheme's records have yet found there way onto the NBN Gateway, which is a shame, as it means that the records on NBN are woefully inadequate.

Can you post a photo of the fly showing its wing pattern which is very distinctive? I'm sure someone could confirm the ID for you from a good photo of the wing.

Last edited by conopid (2010-08-05 15:17:30)

Rachel Hacking · 2010-08-08 16:19:12

Hi Nigel

Many thanks for your reply. I'll try and take a photo today but I don't have very good skills when it comes to close-ups! Watch this space. The wing is distinctive indeed and looks exactly like the one in Figure 258 of Whites' Key. However, being a beginner in this group, I don't know if there are any which have a similar wing pattern. I only have one specimen of this fly and the site I swept it from was covered in Wild Parsnip. I also swept plenty of Chaetostomella cylindrica from the Black Knapweed that was also in abundance.

Cheers,

Rachel

Rachel Hacking · 2010-08-08 23:40:16

I'm sorry about this but I've made a mistake! I feel a bit of an idiot for doing this but I mis-read the couplet in the key and my Tephritid is in fact Anomoia permunda. In the simplified key at the start of the book those two names are next to each other and I followed the wrong line! I also didn't check the corresponding descriptions of the figures! Sorry everyone who helped. Although it was useful finding out a bit more about the distribution of C. rotundiventris in case I ever see it!

Anyway, I checked the distribution of A. permunda and it may be a first record for Darlington but it is not rare!

I will attach a photo I took.

Cheers,

Rachel

Rachel Hacking · 2010-08-08 23:47:10

Here is a pic of my Tephritid: Anomoia purmunda?

Uploaded Images

falky · 2010-08-09 02:23:26

Hi Rachel, yes that is A. permunda. Develops in berries of rosaceous shrubs like hawthorns, amd sometimes attracted by paints and varnishes. Tephritids and other picture-winged flies are great fun - don't be put off.

Falky

conopid · 2010-08-11 12:02:33

"In the simplified key at the start of the book those two names are next to each other and I followed the wrong line!"

The times I have done that myself! And still do from time to time. Don't feel an idiot. I bet everyone does this at some time or other.

Rachel Hacking · 2010-08-12 19:13:15

Thanks Steve and Nigel!

I feel better now. I've since been out (between thundery showers) to collect some more Tephritids so I'll see how I get on with those.

All the best,

Rachel

The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

#1 2010-08-05 01:38:13

Cryptaciura rotundiventris - designation query

#2 2010-08-05 15:09:06

Re: Cryptaciura rotundiventris - designation query

#3 2010-08-08 16:19:12

Re: Cryptaciura rotundiventris - designation query

#4 2010-08-08 23:40:16

Re: Cryptaciura rotundiventris - designation query

#5 2010-08-08 23:47:10

Re: Cryptaciura rotundiventris - designation query

#6 2010-08-09 02:23:26

Re: Cryptaciura rotundiventris - designation query

#7 2010-08-11 12:02:33

Re: Cryptaciura rotundiventris - designation query

#8 2010-08-12 19:13:15

Re: Cryptaciura rotundiventris - designation query

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