Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
 Sphaeroceridae ?
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| Ben Hamers |
Posted on 08-08-2006 22:42
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Member Location: Heerlen ( Holland ) Posts: 739 Joined: 16.12.04 |
Hello, This rather small (2 mm) fly I saw in Southern Limburg (Kunderberg) in July. Ben Ben Hamers attached the following image:  [45.62Kb] Edited by Ben Hamers on 21-05-2012 20:34 |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 08-08-2006 22:54
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 Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7327 Joined: 19.11.04 |
Not Sphaeroceridae. I'd try Milichiidae.
Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| Paul Beuk |
Posted on 09-08-2006 07:13
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 Super Administrator Location: Netherlands Posts: 19403 Joined: 11.05.04 |
Hmm, what genus would you suggest in that case?
Paul - - - - Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 09-08-2006 10:10
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Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7327 Joined: 19.11.04 |
Madiza? 
Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| Paul Beuk |
Posted on 09-08-2006 10:30
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Super Administrator Location: Netherlands Posts: 19403 Joined: 11.05.04 |
I wondered about that one, too, but in my experience 2 mm is may be on the small side and when I compare this image to the one on http://www.sel.ba...ma-ga.html, I think the head may be too flattened in the specimen illustrated here.
Paul - - - - Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 09-08-2006 10:59
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Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7327 Joined: 19.11.04 |
Seguy gives the size as 2.25 to 2.5mm, so I think Ben's estimate is near enough. I agree the head shape looks a little flat compared to Brake's photo, but that is actually dorso-lateral (both antennae are clearly visible), rather than strictly lateral, as in Ben's photo. This could explain the difference. Tomorrow I hope to compare specimens to the photo (I haven't got any at home), so we should be able to resolve it then. I note that Fauna Europaea does not record any Madiza from the Netherlands. Is this another reason for your doubt?  Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| Paul Beuk |
Posted on 09-08-2006 12:35
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Super Administrator Location: Netherlands Posts: 19403 Joined: 11.05.04 |
Nope, that is just omission ar Fauna Europea. It is quite common if you know how to look for it.
Paul - - - - Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info |
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| Jan Willem |
Posted on 10-08-2006 07:09
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 Member Location: Waalwijk, The Netherlands Posts: 2161 Joined: 24.07.04 |
I asked Irina Brake (http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/Diptera/milichid/mi-home.html) to give her opinion. Irina wrote: I would say it is Madiza glabra. You can see the different structure at the base of T5, which is due to some glands. So Tony, it seems you are totally right! Jan Willem |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 10-08-2006 09:43
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Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7327 Joined: 19.11.04 |
This morning I compared the photo to some (rather old) specimens of Madiza glabra, and it matched very well. Among the features which seem characteristic - the sphaerocerid-like head shape with flat frons, the chunky legs, the milky wings, the long bristles at the end of the abdomen, and the shining black haltere. This last feature (visible in front of and slightly below the white flash spot at the base of the abdomen) is rarely found - the halteres of most flies are white, yellow or brown. But exactly which species of Madiza this is ...? I suspect we may need the specimen. Edited by Tony Irwin on 10-08-2006 09:43 Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| Paul Beuk |
Posted on 10-08-2006 09:54
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Super Administrator Location: Netherlands Posts: 19403 Joined: 11.05.04 |
So far from the Netherlands only glabra has been recorded.
Paul - - - - Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info |
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| Ben Hamers |
Posted on 10-08-2006 18:55
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Member Location: Heerlen ( Holland ) Posts: 739 Joined: 16.12.04 |
Hi, Many thanks to you all for this multinational and intercontinental action to identify this fly. I have seen flies like this at several occasions sitting on the top of posts. Next time I will try to make a better picture for the gallery. Ben |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 10-08-2006 20:47
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Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7327 Joined: 19.11.04 |
Paul - I have to confess I've never caught this fly knowingly. You suggest there is a good way to look for it. Is this examining the top of posts, as Ben does, or are you thinking of something else? TIA.
Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| Paul Beuk |
Posted on 11-08-2006 07:19
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Super Administrator Location: Netherlands Posts: 19403 Joined: 11.05.04 |
One of the ways to collect it is to look indoors, for example, in appartment buildings where windows are open on warmer days. Especially in parts of the buildings where staircases have lots of glass and opened doors you can find them on windows. Otherwise posts or bare trunks can yield specimens but that is more accidental, I think. I know I have also seen quite a lot of specimens in Malaise traps. Paul - - - - Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info |
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