Diptera.info

Posted by Sundew on 07-09-2015 01:42

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:

Edited by Sundew on 07-09-2015 01:46

Posted by John Carr on 08-09-2015 01:05

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.

Posted by Nosferatumyia on 08-09-2015 09:15

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