Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Chamaemyidae, Leucopis geniculata (female)
Posted by sbushes on 02-06-2021 11:38
#1
Not sure which family this belongs to.
Shropshire UK, woodland
31st May 2021
2mm long
Edited by sbushes on 04-06-2021 20:14
Posted by sbushes on 02-06-2021 11:39
#2
top
Posted by Paul Beuk on 02-06-2021 13:05
#3
Chamaemyidae,
Leucopis sp. Interesting to see the darkened wings, though.
Posted by sbushes on 03-06-2021 02:46
#4
Nice - a new family for me I think.
Is there a key out there somewhere / can it go further if I put a microscope on it or something? or it's just indeterminable?
Many thanks for your help Paul,
Sam
Posted by Tony Irwin on 03-06-2021 19:07
#5
Ian Mclean is the expert on these - I'll PM you with his contact details.
Posted by sbushes on 04-06-2021 20:14
#6
Thanks Tony.
Will share what he said in case its of use to others:
"From your photographs I would determine this as a female Leucopis geniculata Zetterstedt, the larvae are predators of Adelgidae on Pinus. There is a single generation of adults in May, they are normally found on Pinus sylvestris in the vicinity of the larval prey. The Chamaemyiidae are a difficult family to identify, with many similar species, hence dissection of male/female abdomen to check the diagnostic features is needed to make accurate determinations. Identification from photographs is usually impossible but this species is more recognisable than most although it is always possible that another very similar species could occur here."