Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
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 small non-Bibionid (?)
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 21-10-2007 18:25
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 Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7236 Joined: 19.11.04 |
Sundew wrote: I could not find out the minimum size of Chaoborids, but if there are specimens that measure only a few mm I would like to know whether their wing venation is nevertheless much more complex than in my fly. Fortunately (from the taxonomists' point of view) the venation within a family tends to be fairly stable - (or do we create families according to their venation?). Anyway, all the chironomids have very similar venation (apart from those with reduced wings), and all the chaoborids do too. Both families have species that range from 1 or 2 mm to about 10 mm. Tiny chaoborids have more complex (unreduced) venation than large chironomids. A very small limoniid cranefly has a complex (primitive) venation, with lots of veins reaching the wing margin, but a large tachinid has greatly reduced venation. I guess the veins in the tachinid are stronger, so they can support the larger wing area. The aerodynamics of insect flight is an interesting subject which has been well studied, but I'm no expert on it. There are plenty of papers to study if you want to find out more. Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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