Posted by sd on 16-05-2022 13:08
#1
Trixa pauciseta (Tachinidae) female
France, Haute-Pyrenees, Luz Saint-Sauveur
5th June 2014. Altitude 1 000m
Another specimen recently degreased (Dexiinae seem to be most prone out of the Tachinidae to suffer this) so the bronze tint is rather artificial. Individuals were sitting on bramble leaves (
Rubus) in thick vegetation with grubbed patches of soil due to wild boar, in cool, overcast weather.
T. pauciseta is close to
T. caerulescens, but has fewer median bristles and also has a differentiated vibrissa and hairs on the prosternum. I think it is solely restricted to the Pyrenees?
Steve
(See "A revision of the genus Trixa Meigen (Diptera: Tachinidae)"
Zhang and Shima, Insect Science (2005) 12, 57-71)
Posted by nielsyese on 16-05-2022 13:17
#7
I cannot confirm the ID, but how do you degrease the specimens?
Posted by sd on 16-05-2022 13:39
#8
Hi,
Different organic solvents can be used, eg ethyl acetate. Depending on the specimen size, maybe soak overnight and maybe repeated. The specimen is then more fragile and can become loose on the pin. Take usual precautions with solvents regarding inhalation, fire risk, etc.
Steve
Posted by Zeegers on 16-05-2022 16:34
#10
Trixa is a mess and badly in need of a revision, preferably DNA supported.
Theo