Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Atherigona?

Posted by basti_st on 04-11-2021 00:46
#1

Dear colleagues,

I found a Muscidae in one of my Malaise traps (tropical Pacific region) which appears like Atherigona, mostly resembling A. orientalis. However, what confuses me a bit are the dark-pigmented wing tips. Can anyone help me with the identification?

Thank you
Best
Sebastian

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 04-11-2021 10:05
#2

Atherigona, not orientalis.
Darkened tips of wing may help.
1. Lateral view requires
2. Date and locality instead of "pacific"

Posted by basti_st on 05-11-2021 07:23
#3

Dear Nikita, thank you very much for your quick answer.

I found two more animals in the same Malaise trap sample: one is probably the other sex of the same species already shown (both share the darkened tips of wings; left image). The third animal lacks the darkened wing tips (right image).

The sampling location is Onetahi, Windward Islands - Society Islands, French Polynesia; April 2021.

J.R. Malloch (1937) Muscidae of the Marquesas Islands describes the species Atherigona ustipennis, which has a "distinct brown cloud along the tip of the costa from apex of second to apex of fourth vein". Other characteristics in Mallochs description of A. ustipennis seem also to match the species I collected.

Might the other species, which lacks the darkened wing tips then be Atherigona orientails?

Thanks, Best
Seb

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 05-11-2021 08:46
#4

Seb, reading your "tropical pacific region" I imagined something much simplier, Kuala Lumpur like. Even Hercule Poirot would not deduce that it is the remotest place in the World, the French Polynesia!
Now (also due to new images) the situation is clarified:
1. On the 1st image and upper-left one on the 2nd - Atherigona ustipennis
2. the lower left and right one on the 2nd images is Atherigona orientalis