Diptera.info

Posted by ESant on 19-01-2026 12:12

Hello,

I photographed this fly in the Girgini forest, Sardinia (NU), Italy, 900m a.s.l. on May 15th 2025. I think it is a Rhagio, but is it possible to identify its species based on these photos?

Thank you in advance,
Emanuele

Edited by ESant on 20-01-2026 14:49

Posted by eklans on 19-01-2026 12:26

Female R. scolopaceus (if there's not a very resembling in Girgini forest)

Posted by ESant on 19-01-2026 15:54

Thanks again! I think the only other alternative would be R. sardous, but I'm not sure if the color of the legs and abdomen is more consistent with that or R. scolopaceus. In any case, I collected the specimen, so if additional photos are needed I can provide them.

Edited by ESant on 19-01-2026 15:55

Posted by eklans on 19-01-2026 16:23

I've read through "Review of the scolopaceus-group of Rhagio" by Zeegers & Álvarez Fidalgo and found:
"Diagnosis: As pointed out by SZILÁDY (1934), this species resembles R. maculipennis, but can easily be separated by the yellow and elongated third antennal segment..."
So if you can post a detail of the head we may be sure wether it's sardous or not.

Posted by eklans on 19-01-2026 16:40

Hi Emanuele, I've studied the key and as all femora are dark and the abdomen is dark, too, with "reddish margins": your fly seems to be the endemic Rhagio sardous and I'm curious if Theo agrees ;)

Edited by eklans on 19-01-2026 16:41

Posted by Zeegers on 20-01-2026 12:07

Very interesting. The female of sardous is unknown, so it is difficult / impossible to have a firm opinion. It looks quite like scolopaceus female. Yes, the femora are darker, but Rh. scolopaceus is notoriously variable in colouration. The spots at base of discal cell are connected, which is (mostly ? always ?) not the case in scolopaceus. The vertex seems to be narrower than in female scolopaceus, but very difficult to judge from this angle.

So, yes, this is definitely a candidate female sardous.

Theo

Posted by ESant on 20-01-2026 14:47

Very interesting indeed, thank you both for your insights. I took some extra pictures at the specimen, but if others are needed I can provide them. Of course, I'm also willing to send the specimen, if necessary.

Edited by ESant on 20-01-2026 14:50

Posted by eklans on 20-01-2026 15:51

#13

I've just added a new thread with 2 images of a female R. scolopaceus from 28.05.24 from my garden for comparison.

Posted by Zeegers on 23-01-2026 12:56

#14

This is almost certainly not scolopaceus.

We should publish this !!

If the specimen is a burden to you, i am happy to add it to my collection. Givr me a PM.

Theo