Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
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 Empidoidea from California
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| John Carr |
Posted on 25-09-2013 20:01
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 Member Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 9841 Joined: 22.10.10 |
These were posted originally to BugGuide and are submitted here with the photographer's permission. They are common on small flowers in the redwood forest of coastal California (USA) early in the year. I have ruled out everything I know. At first I thought Oedaleinae (e.g. Anthalia) but the Hybos-like projecting proboscis rules out Ocydromiinae and Oedaleinae. The discal cell emits three veins (see third photo), inconsistent with Hybotinae. Iteaphila and Brachystoma would have R4+5 forked. Empidinae would have a downward projecting proboscis. Clinocerinae has the wrong habitat, forked R4+5, and a weak anal lobe. Hemerodromiinae has modified fore legs. Tachydromiinae lack a discal cell. Anthepiscopus seems to differ in detail, but is at least close. Oreogeton lacks the projecting proboscis. It is possible that two or more species are represented. The antennae vary. Four from February 12, 2011:     (Click for larger size.) Two from March 20, 2010:   Later in the year small flowers have similar flies with angled proboscis, probably a different species in Oedaleinae.  |
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| Paul Beuk |
Posted on 26-09-2013 16:05
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 Super Administrator Location: Netherlands Posts: 19229 Joined: 11.05.04 |
Anthalia comes to mind, but the antennal style is rather long. Unfortunately, wing venation is poorly visible in these pictures.
Paul - - - - Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info |
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| John Carr |
Posted on 26-09-2013 17:54
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Member Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 9841 Joined: 22.10.10 |
The last looks like Anthalia, but the rest have a proboscis pointing straight ahead. According to Sinclair and Cumming (2006), Oedaleinae have "mountparts directed obliquely forwards." |
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| Paul Beuk |
Posted on 26-09-2013 18:28
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Super Administrator Location: Netherlands Posts: 19229 Joined: 11.05.04 |
Hmm, perhaps then Mythicomyiidae? If I only had an actual specimen. 
Paul - - - - Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info |
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| John Carr |
Posted on 26-09-2013 22:01
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Member Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 9841 Joined: 22.10.10 |
They can't be Mythicomyia because R2 and CuA are long. If you want to take a trip to California the photographer can set you up with a collecting permit. |
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