Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
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 Small Fly, Massive Thorax
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| Stephen |
Posted on 21-08-2006 11:46
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 Member Location: West Virginia USA Posts: 1322 Joined: 12.04.05 |
This little orange fly is common in the woods in West Virginia every Spring. I tried to think what fly family would have such a massive thorax, and I thought of Lauxaniidae. But oral vibrissae seem to be present, and Lauxaniidae don't have those? Another interesting trait is how short the abdomen is compared with the wings. ID help would be appreciated! I'll post a dorsal, a lateral, and a "face" shot. Stephen attached the following image:  [62.33Kb] --Stephen Stephen Cresswell www.americaninsects.net |
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| Stephen |
Posted on 21-08-2006 11:49
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Member Location: West Virginia USA Posts: 1322 Joined: 12.04.05 |
Second view
Stephen attached the following image:  [91.78Kb] --Stephen Stephen Cresswell www.americaninsects.net |
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| Paul Beuk |
Posted on 21-08-2006 11:50
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 Super Administrator Location: Netherlands Posts: 19403 Joined: 11.05.04 |
Scathophagidae, IMO.
Paul - - - - Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info |
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| Stephen |
Posted on 21-08-2006 11:51
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Member Location: West Virginia USA Posts: 1322 Joined: 12.04.05 |
Face view
Stephen attached the following image:  [62.44Kb] --Stephen Stephen Cresswell www.americaninsects.net |
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| Stephen |
Posted on 22-08-2006 10:04
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Member Location: West Virginia USA Posts: 1322 Joined: 12.04.05 |
Thanks, Paul. It had crossed my mind that this fly looked very much like another common species in our area, the Golden Dung Fly, Scatophaga stercoraria. (Not sure if this species is found in Europe.) Thanks for your help, Paul! --Stephen Stephen Cresswell www.americaninsects.net |
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| Nikita Vikhrev |
Posted on 22-08-2006 10:13
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 Member Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 9480 Joined: 24.05.05 |
Hi Stephen. Your fly really looks as Scathophaga (1stpl, 4 setas on scutellum, no strong seta on pulps). But it isn't S. stercoraria (very common fly in Europe too). Nikita Nikita Vikhrev - Zool Museum of Moscow University |
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| Stephen |
Posted on 22-08-2006 10:27
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Member Location: West Virginia USA Posts: 1322 Joined: 12.04.05 |
Thanks, Nikita. I am glad to learn you have the nice fly Scathophaga stercoraria in Europe too. I meant to say, "looks like S. stercoraria except without all the golden fur." And of course without the fur these two fly species do look very different. One thing I have never understood is how S. stercoraria can keep its golden hairs so clean when living on dung! They must do a lot of grooming. --Stephen Stephen Cresswell www.americaninsects.net |
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