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Hello,

I would appreciate any input on this male Tephritid collected by sweeping low vegetation in Saint-Laurent-d’Aigouze, southern France. Based on wing markings, orange antennae and frons, thoracic pattern (4 pairs of black spots), and the abdominal markings (double median row + lateral dots), I had initially suggested Chaetorellia jaceae.

Discussions on the French forum LMDI pointed out that C. acrolophi males are particularly similar in appearance. Do you think it’s possible to distinguish the two species based on these photos?



JC Bartolucci : France : Saint-Laurent-d'Aigouze : 30220 : 18/05/2025
Altitude : NR - Taille : 7 mm
Réf. : 360254


JC Bartolucci : France : Saint-Laurent-d'Aigouze : 30220 : 18/05/2025
Altitude : NR - Taille : 7 mm
Réf. : 360255


JC Bartolucci : France : Saint-Laurent-d'Aigouze : 30220 : 18/05/2025
Altitude : NR - Taille : 7 mm
Réf. : 360256

Thanks in advance for your help!

Best regards

JC

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Unfortunately, no chance to ID except the host plant and or female aculeus length or shape are known.

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Thank you very much for your reply!

The specimen was collected by sweeping low vegetation, and the only Centaurea species I recall observing on site was Centaurea calcitrapa. That said, in the absence of formal confirmation that other potential host plants were not present, I believe it is safer to refer to this as Chaetorellia sp.

Regarding host plants, I’ve compiled the following list:

For Chaetorellia jaceae: Centaurea alba, Centaurea debeauxii, Centaurea jacea, Centaurea margaritacea, Centaurea nigra, and Centaurea scabiosa

For Chaetorellia acrolophi: Centaurea maculosa, Centaurea calcitrapa, Centaurea diffusa, Centaurea leucophaea, Centaurea vallesiaca, Centaurea virgata, Centaurea cariensis subsp. longipapposa, Centaurea hanrii subsp. spinabadia, Centaurea pectinata, Centaurea stoebe

Does this list look correct and complete to you?

Thanks again for your help!