Diptera.info

Posted by jane bowman on 18-01-2008 10:04

Could this fly seen 'talking' with a caterpillar on nettles please be identified. It was found on June 12th in the Scottish Highlands. The surrounding area is deciduous woodland.
Thanks Jane Bowman

Posted by Zeegers on 18-01-2008 13:25

Well, it's a long shot, but my first impression is that of Pelatachina tibialis. If the caterpillar would be a Nymphalid, this would strongly support this guess. And it looks like a Nymphalid, doesn't it?

Theo

Posted by ChrisR on 18-01-2008 14:00

Looks like an Aglais urticae larva to me, so that would figure. Out of interest Theo, what makes you think it is Pelatachina?

Great photo, by the way - nature in action! :)

Posted by Zeegers on 18-01-2008 15:29

The size, the wing venation (bend very close to wing margin), the total colouration, the yellowish base of the wings, and these kind of features you won't find in the keys.
Nevertheless, if i would have seen reddish tibia, I would have been sure.

Theo

Posted by cosmln on 20-01-2008 19:19

i will prefer to see a larger image (to see more from that larva) but for me that look like a young lava of Lymantria dispar

cosmln

Posted by jane bowman on 20-01-2008 19:42

larva is definitely Aglais urticae Cosmln

Jane

Posted by cosmln on 20-01-2008 19:54

jane bowman wrote:
larva is definitely Aglais urticae Cosmln

Jane

still i'm not sure about that.
here you can see larva of Aglais urticae
http://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm?SpeciesPages/AglaisUrtic.htm

from what i see the larva is hairy not with "needle". i have downloaded the image and enlarged and still is too hairy.
please upload a crop of that image to show better that larva.

cosmln

Posted by Xespok on 20-01-2008 20:03

I have the feeling that this is a 3rd instar of Lymantria dispar. Despite being on nettle.

Posted by Smoggycb on 20-01-2008 23:35

#10

Lymantria dispar became extinct in Britain in the late 19th century (though I believe small populations have established themselves in London in recent years), and even before this was only recorded in south-east England. I would agree with Aglais urticae.

Posted by cosmln on 20-01-2008 23:43

#11

Smoggycb wrote:
Lymantria dispar became extinct in Britain in the late 19th century (though I believe small populations have established themselves in London in recent years), and even before this was only recorded in south-east England. I would agree with Aglais urticae.

still i'm not and hoping that a bigger view of that larva will come

cosmln

Posted by Matt Smith on 21-01-2008 11:04

#12

I can see why it could possibly be mistaken for a Lymantria larva, but it is definately a young larvae of Aglias urticae

Matt