Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
Who is here? 1 guest(s)
Tephritidae - Rhagoletis meigenii with some questions
|
|
Sundew |
Posted on 07-09-2015 01:42
|
Member Location: Berlin and Baden-Württemberg, Germany Posts: 3890 Joined: 28.07.07 |
Hi, I have no doubt that these Tephritids are Rhagoletis meigenii. I saw them in Southern Brandenburg in the beginning of June, 2015. Several of them were busy on the leaves of a lilac bush (Syringa vulgaris), but their host plants (Berberis, Mahonia) were not far away. I have some questions, however, resulting from the key by White (1988). I get to Rhagoletis only via „Head with 2 pairs of orbital setae” and „Both pairs of orbital setae reclinate”. All the flies I took photographs of had just one pair of orbital setae - the two strong bristles behind them I interpret as inner and outer vertical setae. Is my view correct? The postocular setae are pale as demanded, and the 1st flagellomere is dorsoapically pointed as described in the key. Does the lower detail picture show the „Hind femur with strong anteroventral subapical setae”? The wing markings match exactly the description and figure for the species. So is the wing pattern the most reliable character for species ID? I am still learning and grateful for any help! Sundew Here are male and female: Sundew attached the following image: [183.99Kb] Edited by Sundew on 07-09-2015 01:46 |
|
|
Sundew |
Posted on 07-09-2015 01:43
|
Member Location: Berlin and Baden-Württemberg, Germany Posts: 3890 Joined: 28.07.07 |
Details:
Sundew attached the following image: [129.23Kb] |
|
|
Sundew |
Posted on 08-09-2015 00:11
|
Member Location: Berlin and Baden-Württemberg, Germany Posts: 3890 Joined: 28.07.07 |
Valery's opinion would be appreciated... |
|
|
John Carr |
Posted on 08-09-2015 01:05
|
Member Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 9814 Joined: 22.10.10 |
The character might be variable. The sole photo of Rhagoletis meigenii on BugGuide, http://bugguide.n...479/bgpage, shows one large and one small bristle on one side and only one on the other. The North American literature also describes Rhagoletis with two orbital setae. |
Nosferatumyia |
Posted on 08-09-2015 09:15
|
Member Location: Posts: 3399 Joined: 28.12.07 |
Indeed, such a mutation is known to me among Rhagoletis: at least one specimen of a Berberis-associated specimen from Turkmenistan was subject to a hard discussion with one of my colleagues, who insisted that a new genus must be established. Unfortunately and luckily for science, the specimen was eaten by dermestids later.
Edited by Nosferatumyia on 08-09-2015 09:18 Val |
|
|
Nosferatumyia |
Posted on 08-09-2015 09:16
|
Member Location: Posts: 3399 Joined: 28.12.07 |
But -- no doubts, it is R. meigenii. Regards from Berlin. I observed a lot of them in Gumboldthain this July. Edited by Nosferatumyia on 08-09-2015 09:19 Val |
|
|
Sundew |
Posted on 08-09-2015 11:00
|
Member Location: Berlin and Baden-Württemberg, Germany Posts: 3890 Joined: 28.07.07 |
Many thanks to both of you! And to the Dermestids that saved us from more complicated systematics |
|
Jump to Forum: |