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c. 8mm, Clitheroe UK, 22 May 2011.

From this and other images I arrived at Helina pertusa. Does this look right? Should I bring more pictures? (No specimen.)

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It could be. How many katepisternal, how long is the pre-alar ? I only catch Helina lasiophthalma at the moment which could also be.

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This gives the best view of these features. I think katepisternals are 2+2, and the pre-alar looks weak.

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Seems consistent with H. pertusa, but the best way to get a certitude is to catch a specimen.

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I'll see what I can do. :) Other things which seemed to confirm H. pertusa were the the single ad on t3 and the strongly infuscated crossveins. I can't find any sign of eye hairs. and the arista is very short-haired:

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Incidentally, when the keys speak of 'katepisternals 1 + 2', does the first number always refer to the anterior position, or the opposite, or is there no convention?

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Yes, one anterior and two posterior.

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Thanks. This is the view from the other side - again 2 anterior setae, the lower one weaker.

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and this is the 'money shot' for the pre-alar!

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The pra is not so weak, and the arista seems almost bare. That trouble me. Catch one if you have the opportunity.

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I'll go out and look now!

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Well, I got one, and it's a male with bare eyes - I only had to search 20 damp mossy tree trunks B). Photos to follow.

(I also got a Phaonia pallida male and a Sciapus platypterus - not a bad habitat to look at on a dull day.)

Here's the male specimen. It does key out as H. pertusa.

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Four rows of pre ac.

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3

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4

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Great. The dense hairiness beneath the hind femur seems here too...

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Yes, it's very clear on the specimen. Many thanks for your patience and rigour! Would you like the specimen?