Posted by blowave on 30-11-2009 20:35
#1
Hi,
Not sure if this belongs to Agromyzidae, Chloropidae or Ephydridae but I thought the latter as I had another Ephydridae in the same place but it was about 2mm. This one was only about 1.5mm.
Found near the base of a south facing wall, I have included a shot of it in the gap between bricks which is normally 1/4" or less than 6.5mm but it can vary a little. The other fly I saw often coming up from the ground which is sandy soil with short wiry grass, this one I only saw once.
Taken on 22nd October 2009, a few miles south of Lincoln UK.
5 pics in all. Any clues much appreciated.
Janet :)
Posted by blowave on 30-11-2009 22:38
#7
Hi Stephane,
I'm pleased you suggested that as it is one I had thought was very close, if not the same species although there is only a dorso-lateral view of a male in the gallery.
I searched and found a description by Tony Irwin, in his own words..
I wonder if these are Philygria (=Nostima) picta - in this species both sexes have reduced wings, but the reduction is more extreme in the female (- sexual dimorphism rather than polymorphism). Among the Philygria that David suggests, semialata was originally placed in Nostima, distingished by plumose arista and two, rather than three, dorsocentral pairs (including pre-scutellars). It is a species that is most often recorded by pitfall trapping, in Britain associated with grassy heaths.
http://www.dipter...;pid=48498
Grassy heaths does fit, I'm in an area with a little of many different types of habitat including old deciduous woodland.
I think I can see three pairs of dorsocentral setae, one is just at the edge of the dark area before the scuttelum. I could lighten it to be sure. I have found another set of pics from the 3rd November but only dorsal views and no better than the one I posted, although wings show a little better.
If this is quite certain I could add a couple of pics to the gallery, it's a female!
Edited by blowave on 30-11-2009 22:38
Posted by blowave on 30-11-2009 23:33
#8
I think this can be given a name as suggested,
Nostima picta.
I found another old thread where Tony states the silvery lines are distinctive for this species.:D
The silvery lines of the orbits continued on the dorsum are fairly distinctive.
http://diptera.in...post_41181
Thank you Stephane!B)