---

Hello!

There were about a dozen or more species of Diptera active here in Ostwestfalen/Germany yesterday (0 ?C, sunny). Most of them known to me, but there remain some unidentified...

I know the photos are not the best, but perhaps can someone help me to determine at least the families. Thanks in advance!

The first one was only 8-10 mm long, tiny, shining black with brown wings:



Another one (15-20 mm) on a tree trunk seems to be a Calliphoridae:



Also this one on our house's wall:



Again on the wall a 10-15 mm long one. Not sure about the family:



This 10 mm Muscidae or Anthomyiidae (?) I found on a Sinapis arvensis field:



Another 10 mm-Anthomyiidae or Muscidae (Helina?). These were the most abundant flies yesterday sunbathing:



The last one should be clear: Scatophaga sp.:

---

Hi Jurgen, could I try?
1. (upper) - Sphaeroceridae
2, 3 - Calliphora sp.
The last - Scathophaga sp.
Nikita

---

4. (dark fly after Calliphora) - I think it is also Dryomyza flaveola

---

Hello, Nikita!

Thanks a lot! For the Calliphora sp. I first thought it was Polietes or another Muscid because I didn't see any metallic blue, but after having a look at the wing venation I think you are right with Calliphora.

---

Hi Juergen,

Bless the usefulness of the bend in vein M !
I agree

Theo

---

4. Heleomyzidae are typica winter flies and I suspect this is the of them (although it could also be Dryomyzidae like Nikita proposed)

5. & 6. Anthomyiidae male + female, quite possibly of the same species. If pressed for a name I'd say Delia, but there are similar flies in many other genera.

---

4. My reasons:
a. antenae 3-d is too long for Heleomyzidae.
b. Most of all - given size 10-15 is about top level for Heleomyzidae, but just siutable for Dryomyza flaveola (also winter fly).

---

Hard not to get enthusiastic about these real survivors of the insect world. Here we're into a rainy spell that makes photographs pretty impossible, but I'm sure that when the sun comes back out, I'll be able to find something interesting to add to the winter's collection ;) Sarah

---

Just a tip for the next time: to keep a better overview of what you have, spread the images over several threads.

---

Hello to all,

and thanks for your hints!




You are right. With so many pics I'm always in doubt whether it is better for the overview to make several threads or "concentrate" all in just one. Looking at the replies in this case it would have been better to spread the images...

---

Hello, Nikita!



At first I also thought of a Heleomyzidae, but just as you wrote: that would have been the biggest Heleomyzidae I have seen. Not sure if it was really 15 mm, but definitely over 10 mm.

---

Hello Jurgen.
1. I'm sure I understand that Kahis's knowledge and my knowledge can not even be compared, so if Kahis told it is Heleomyzidae, than 99% it is.
2. But... If you will be so kind to attach better resolution image of this fly...
Nikita

---

Hi.

Hmm didn't consider the size. 10mm is close to the upper limit expected for Heleomyzidae - I guess the length you give is from head to wing tip, not body length. As for the antenna, I don't think it's possible to say what shape it has from the photo.

---

Hello!



I'm sorry, but I don't have a petter picture.

---

in my opinion there is probably Scoliocentra villosa (Mg.), the biggest one (11-12mm) in Heleomyzini. The colour of mesonotum is typical for this species.

Andrzej:)

---

Hello, Andrzej!



Thank you very much, I will look if I can find some information on that species.

---

Dear Juergen,

there is an excellent work on the villosa species:
Skidmore, P., 1966, The biology of Scoliocentra villosa (Mg.). (Diptera, Heleomyzidae), Ent. Monthly Mag., 102: 94-98.

Best wishes,
Andrzej :p

---

Hello, Amdrzej!



Thanks again!