Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
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 Distinguishing Protocalliphora and Protophormia
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| Susan R Walter |
Posted on 21-10-2007 12:19
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 Member Location: Touraine du Sud, central France Posts: 1802 Joined: 14.01.06 |
I've been having a look at the problematic 'protos' recently, so here are my top tips for separating them: 1. Make sure the specimen is subfamily Chrysomyinae in the first place ie check for the distinctive body shape - as one of my Italian cook books put it (describing ciabatta or slipper bread), 'something both flat and slightly puffy at the same time.' Chrysomyinae are rather blunt nosed and flat faced, with a clearly defined transverse thoracic suture, slightly flattened dorsally, but still managing to look rather overstuffed in the abdomen. 2. Wing bases (sclerites and veins) brown = Protocalliphora. Wing bases black = Protophormia. 3. Pale calypters (white or yellowish, sometimes yellowy brown but never with a grey tinge) = Protocalliphora. Dark calypters (charcoal or dark brown with a grey tinge) = Protophormia. 4. Pre sutural ac present, 3 post sutural ia = Protocalliphora. Presutural ac absent, 2 post sutural ia = Protophormia. 5. 1st flagellomere relatively short - clearly not reaching vibrissae = Protocalliphora. 1st flagellomere long - reaching vibrissae = Protophormia. 6. Body lighter, brighter blue green, conspicuous dusting = Protocalliphora. Body very dark blue, no dusting = Protophormia. If your specimen is clearly green, then it is something else eg Chrysomyia. Check out the gallery for images in Calliphoridae. http://www.dipter...to_id=1616 http://www.dipter...to_id=2060 Edited by Susan R Walter on 21-10-2007 22:21 Susan |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 21-10-2007 13:24
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 Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7236 Joined: 19.11.04 |
Susan - That's a really useful summary. Great work! 
Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| jorgemotalmeida |
Posted on 21-10-2007 13:46
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 Member Location: Viseu - PORTUGAL Posts: 9295 Joined: 05.06.06 |
yes. A great summary here! In a more careful reading if I encounter something to fix, i will let know.  but I think that will be not necessary. |
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| Stephane Lebrun |
Posted on 21-10-2007 19:53
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 Member Location: Le Havre, France Posts: 8248 Joined: 03.03.07 |
Thank you Susan, this work is usefull indeed !
Stephane. |
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| jorgemotalmeida |
Posted on 21-10-2007 21:13
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Member Location: Viseu - PORTUGAL Posts: 9295 Joined: 05.06.06 |
it is very hard to see in the photos the post sutural ia setae...  |
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| Susan R Walter |
Posted on 21-10-2007 22:20
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Member Location: Touraine du Sud, central France Posts: 1802 Joined: 14.01.06 |
Jorge You can see them well in Gabor's recent photo of Protocalliphora http://www.dipter...ad_id=9256 second image. Susan |
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| jorgemotalmeida |
Posted on 21-10-2007 22:29
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Member Location: Viseu - PORTUGAL Posts: 9295 Joined: 05.06.06 |
Susan R Walter wrote: Jorge You can see them well in Gabor's recent photo of Protocalliphora http://www.dipter...ad_id=9256 second image. ah! here we can really see them well. Gabor should upload the second image for the gallery. |
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