Thread subject: Diptera.info :: unknown fly from Chiapas

Posted by Steve Gaimari on 03-08-2015 20:17
#11

Glad you contacted me to take a look at this! It got me looking at some Physegenua. At first glance, I likely would have called this Physegenua ferruginea too, partly since it lacks markings on the face. But after looking at a bunch of specimens identified as P. ferruginea there is a strange thing I noticed. First, the type - it has mostly clear wings (only darkened along the costa) and the legs aren't nearly so dark. Looking at series of specimens, it seems the ones identified as this species from Mexico have very dark wings and very dark legs, as in the one you photographed. So, I took a look at the literature. After the description of P. urina (Giglio-Tos, 1893), Williston (1894) said that P. urina is very likely the same as P. ferruginea. I think that this idea was followed afterwards, although Giglio-Tos (1895) pointed out that he believed that to be incorrect. One of the differences is that P. urina has very dark wings. I have not seen the type of P. urina, but I believe your fly is that species, which is described from Mexico. I think I need to see this type. :)