The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

Alan Outen · 2012-01-04 17:40:03

Continuing to work through the species I have still unidentified from last year this one was from beside the River Ivel;, Clifton Beds on 1 June. I think probably Tachinidae but any suggestions greatly appreciated. I have the specimen.

Many thanks

Alan

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Last edited by Alan Outen (2012-01-04 17:44:00)

ChrisR · 2012-01-04 17:51:41

I think probably Calliphoridae but can you check the specimen for the presence/absence of a subscutellum?

Alan Outen · 2012-01-20 16:47:14

Many thanks Chris. Apologies for delay in reply. I think it is probably Calliphoridae as you suggest.

Alan

brianh · 2012-01-20 22:32:04

I'm not sure about Calliphoridae. I cannot think of a Calliphorid with that yellowish-brown abdomen.

Howard Bentley · 2012-01-21 14:36:56

I think I can see some remnants of golden hairs on the thorax - is this a well-worn Pollenia? Perhaps it's reflections from the wings which make the abdomen look orange. If it really has an orange abdomen, heaven knows what it is.

Stephane Lebrun · 2012-01-21 15:19:27

I agree with Howard, a worn Pollenia, as for the reflection of the wings : if you look attentively, the golden/orange hue follows the folds.

Stephane.

Alan Outen · 2012-01-23 14:53:39

Many thanks to all. I can confirm that the abdomen is definitely NOT orange on the specimen.

Alan

brianh · 2012-01-23 16:14:04

Since you have the specimen are you able to confirm the presence of the enlarged subscutellum, and the remains of the crinkly golden hairs on the thorax to make it a Pollenia spp. Following that confirmation a few additional observations under the microscope may get the specimen to species.

Alan Outen · 2012-01-23 16:47:18

Thank you again Brian.

I was unable to see a subscutellum on the specimen which was why Chris decided it was Calliphoridae rather than Tachinidae. I am also unable to see any crinkly golden hairs on the thorax. My problem is that my manual dexterity is very poor due to severe arthritis and attempts at even simple manipulations of a specimen under the microscope often result in damage to it! A few months back a friend asked me to open a wing from a micro-moth to look at the patterning on the wing underside. As my fingers often won't/ don't go where I want them to I merely succeeded in decapitating the thing!! This frustrating and inadvertent clumsiness is why I am always so dependent on the considerable kindness and generosity and help of people via this forum (see also my article 'Finding Flies in Beds' in theAutumn 2011 Bulletin).

Alan

brianh · 2012-01-23 17:24:25

Unfortunately the keys to Pollenia would require good manual dexterity as the specimen needs to be observed from various angles to see the characters.

Alan Outen · 2012-01-26 00:20:00

As I feared from looking at the key!!

Alan

The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

#1 2012-01-04 17:40:03

River Ivel fly from 1 June 2011

#2 2012-01-04 17:51:41

Re: River Ivel fly from 1 June 2011

#3 2012-01-20 16:47:14

Re: River Ivel fly from 1 June 2011

#4 2012-01-20 22:32:04

Re: River Ivel fly from 1 June 2011

#5 2012-01-21 14:36:56

Re: River Ivel fly from 1 June 2011

#6 2012-01-21 15:19:27

Re: River Ivel fly from 1 June 2011

#7 2012-01-23 14:53:39

Re: River Ivel fly from 1 June 2011

#8 2012-01-23 16:14:04

Re: River Ivel fly from 1 June 2011

#9 2012-01-23 16:47:18

Re: River Ivel fly from 1 June 2011

#10 2012-01-23 17:24:25

Re: River Ivel fly from 1 June 2011

#11 2012-01-26 00:20:00

Re: River Ivel fly from 1 June 2011

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