Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Now Muscina?? Phaonia again - arrrgh...

Posted by Sundew on 17-02-2008 21:34
#1

Hello,
Helpful fly friends taught me how to tell apart Phaonia and Muscina, so I try herewith, but it's not easy. This fly, seen on the Baltic Island of Usedom in August, rather matches the description of Muscina stabulans I found in the internet: "The fourth longitudinal vein (M1+2) of the wings is not bent and converges only slightly towards the vein in front of it... The legs of the false stable fly are partly red-gold or cinnamon." I see a very slight bend of the M1+2 vein, but is this sufficient to exclude Phaonia? And the scutellum is largely brown, not only its tip.
Please help once more!
Thanks, Sundew

Edited by Sundew on 17-02-2008 21:50

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-02-2008 21:37
#2

yes, Sundew. A Muscina. I'd tell the same.

Posted by Sundew on 17-02-2008 21:39
#3

So M. stabulans indeed? Gabor said the other species have darker legs.

Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 17-02-2008 21:41
#4

Sorry Claudia, it's Phaonia valida which character is to have a slightly upcurved vein M1+2 at apex (an exception in Phaonia). M isn't enough bent for Muscina, amount of red coloration is too extended on scutellum and legs too pale for any Muscina.

Posted by Sundew on 17-02-2008 21:50
#5

OK, once we have worked through the exceptions, discrimination will become much easier... Even Jorge was mistaken! I won't give up and check my photo stock for other similar Muscidae. Just wait!
Many thanks, Sundew

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 17-02-2008 22:12
#6

hmm... :) I must be much care with muscids. Stephane is right. The degree of bent really is not enough for Muscina. But it is not easy to judge as we can see. Really I knew about that exception but forgot it. :(
Thanks Stephane for stopping my blunder. :)

Edited by jorgemotalmeida on 17-02-2008 22:13