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? thanks in advance

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Tabanus eggeri.
Official features not visible in picture,
but wing venation characteristic: first posterior cell closed
(quite unusual in Tabanus)


Theo Zeegers

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Is this also Tabanus eggeri? I am not absolutely certain I understand where the first posterior cell is, but this one has a closed cell along the trailing edge of the wing as you come from the wing tip. Photo taken 5 August, on the banks of the Claise, Indre et Loire, France. She entertained us greatly as we had lunch - she was just about paralytic drunk on windfall plums.

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A disgraceful display.

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A lateral view.

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Clearly about to slide under the table - again.

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Hi Sarah,

You got the right cell !
And therefore, the right ID (if it is from Europe): Tabanus eggeri female.
Other features: very orange abdomen and completely black antennae.
Well illustrated by your pictures !

Theo

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Hurrah! She's French, so T eggeri she is. The black antennae (and tarsi) are very noticeable in the field, as are the darkened wings.

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wow, nice pics :), thanks

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Paqui

Many thanks for the compliment:). It's not often we manage to get such good images, but the light was perfect and the fly was large and so drunk we could get really close without her moving (except to fall over sideways:p) I've put some these up for the gallery - my first contribution to that really marvellous resource.:D

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Hi Susan

We are anxious for your next horsefly pictures.
Pictures of horseflies are of interest, because the colouration of the eyes gets lost after death. So, the real eyes can only be learned from pictures. Therefore, especially 'passport-photo' shots of horseflies are always welcome.

Thanks

Theo Zeegers

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oh, I knew about that loose of colouration, now i have a doubt: i use alcohol but i?ve read not to use it with tabanidae because they can loose pilosity important for the identification. Now in a book in keys to Nemorius i see: "eyes with a medial band in living or rehidratated specimens"
Does it mean bands can re-apear after died?? that would be nice for id?s, but i think maybe more probable this is an old book...

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No, it's true,

If you put, for instance, the horsefly 8 hours in a closed box with very wet papers, you can revive the eye colouration.
However, you never get the original 100 % back.
In most cases, it is enough for identification.
And with fresh material, in most cases you can reconstruct the eye pattern even in dry material by looking at the eye with a strong light.
You will see traces of the eyebands, in most cases at least.
However, experience is needed.


Theo

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wow, thanks, even if i don?t have experience, i still have no tabanidae at all
thanks again :)