Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Meigenia?: parasitoid of chrysomelid larvae
Posted by Rui Andrade on 08-04-2009 21:55
#1
On the last 20th of March I collected several chrysomelid larvae on Rumex sp. in a meadow. Five of these larvae were parasitized by tachinids. At first I thought that two tachinids species were present because there are specimens that look different, but now I think that it could be the same species and the difference lies on sexual dimorphism. What can be said about them?
location: Barcelos, Portugal
Male
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Female
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Pupa
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Host larva
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Adult host
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Are the arrows pointing to the erect apical scutellar bristles?:
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Posted by neprisikiski on 08-04-2009 22:39
#2
They are indeed Meigenia mutabilis-group, with five species known in Europe, identification of females is not possible. The group include such young species, that even molecular biology is not successful for identification using several genes, that usually work on other Tachinidae
Edited by neprisikiski on 08-04-2009 22:39
Posted by Rui Andrade on 08-04-2009 23:07
#3
Thank you very much Erikas:)! That's a really nice info you've got. I have read that tachinids are probably going through an adaptive radiation explosion.
Posted by ChrisR on 09-04-2009 08:50
#4
Great sequence of photos Rui - and good job rearing them out! :D Females of your Meigenia spp. are more heavily dusted - in your photos you can see the narrow frons of the male and the wider frons of the female.
Posted by Zeegers on 09-04-2009 21:39
#5
Great work !
Don't despair, the males are rather easy on genitalia and you have a male !
Theo
Posted by Rui Andrade on 10-04-2009 00:13
#6
Thanks Chris and Theo.:) Recently I discovered that last year I've photographed one of the known hosts of Rondania dispar, the curculionid Brachyderes lusitanicus, in the same place where I've seen Rondania:). I hope this year will be a good one in respect to rearing tachinids from their hosts. Unfortunately this winter the tachinid pupae I had didn't hatch:(.
Posted by Zeegers on 10-04-2009 09:55
#7
Please keep all documentation and the specimens.
We might publish it in Tachinid Times.
Theo
Posted by Rui Andrade on 10-04-2009 23:46
#8
That would be great:D!
Posted by Zeegers on 11-04-2009 20:53
#9
For that, I would need to check the genitalia.
in due time, there is no hurry.
THeo