Diptera.info

Posted by tristram on 21-09-2011 19:11

In long grass in Reading, UK, on 2011-09-21.

Edited by tristram on 21-09-2011 19:12

Posted by ChrisR on 21-09-2011 20:38

Linnaemya - possibly tessellans but would be nice to key it out and check for picta if you have a specimen :)

L.picta has been spreading across the UK this year (Kent, Suffolk & Cambridgeshire) so it's not unrealistic to think that it might make the Thames Valley :)

Edited by ChrisR on 21-09-2011 20:39

Posted by Zeegers on 21-09-2011 20:39

A Linnaemyia. Might very well be picta.

Theo

Posted by ChrisR on 21-09-2011 20:41

@Theo: What might indicate picta from the above photos? :)

Posted by Zeegers on 21-09-2011 20:48

red tibia and yellow humerus.

But I'm not sure.

Now we mention it, the apical margin of tergite 5 definitely seems reddish int he last pic, which would confirm picta.

Olsufjevi and others have a less prominent projecting mouth margin

Theo

Posted by ChrisR on 21-09-2011 21:07

Hmm, definitely needs a specimen then ... would be nice to know the exact locality and I could have a look - it must be close to me :) If it is picta then it is a very exciting record :)

Edited by ChrisR on 21-09-2011 21:08

Posted by tristram on 21-09-2011 21:25

Thankyou Chris and Theo!
I don't have a specimen. I do have this rather blurry photo under a different lighting (for what its worth):

Posted by sd on 21-09-2011 21:47

I've seen a lot of picta this year, though mostly males which are easier to id than this female, but it does look right to me - strong bristles on the lower cheeks. The males have reddish areas laterally on the abdomen--
http://www.dipter...d_id=35154

Steve:)

Posted by ChrisR on 21-09-2011 23:37

#10

@tristram: Sadly photos won't help much because the features we need to see for a 100% confirmation are too small to show up. If you can PM me the locality then I might be able to have a look but if you can get a specimen then I would be *very* interested indeed - just catch one and I will sort out the pinning etc. :)

Posted by Jaakko on 22-09-2011 20:14

#11

Looks like picta to me as well. Funny, last year tesselans was more common here in Friedberg, this year the opposite!

Posted by ChrisR on 22-09-2011 20:42

#12

Great news - Linnaemya picta has been romping across the country but a specimen from the Reading area would be a massive leap from previous regions :) I'm hesitant to take the record from a photo but Tristram is going to have a go at catching one for me and I'm going to keep a good lookout in other areas :)