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Massachusetts, USA June 22, 2010. 3.1 mm long.

Chlorops?


(Click image for large size, or view on Flickr.)



(Click image for larger size.)


(Click image for larger size.)

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According your third picture, I see one row of setulae on the lateral margin of ocellar triangle; so, I think is Chloropsina sp.! :)

EDIT: Just please check your species with fauna of USA, I don't know about there! :)

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Chloropsina did not exist in North America when the Manual of Nearctic Diptera was published. I see that there is a recent revision:

Nartshuk E.P. 2000: Holarctic grassflies of the genus Chloropsina Becker (Diptera, Chloropidae) with description of a new species. Entomologicheskoe Obozrenie 79: 254-261

I do not have a copy.

How does it differ from Chlorops? Is there any other genus with which it might be confused?

The last revision of Chorops as of 1983 was Becker (1912).

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In fact in my opinion that's looks like to Chlorops, but In the third pic, I can see a row of setulae on the lateral margin of ocellar triangle that this makes me doubtful, if I didn't see this character, might I would arrive to Chlorops genus.

- Ocellar triangle with 1 or more rows of setulae on lateral margins.

- Ocellar triangle without setulae on lateral margins.

If you can confirm this character doesn't exist, I think, we will arrive to Chlorops.
Would you please check this? (Just look at base of those setulae that are they from inner margin of lateral triangle or outer, thank you)

I will check that reference, if I have, will give you a copy! :)

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The raised ocellar triangle includes a narrow, yellow border. The yellow border has six or seven setulae on each side.

The third picture gets larger if you click on it.

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Look at these pics, please. The setulae have to be like them, so, I think this is Chlorops sp., now. :)

EDIT: I wanted to show you 2 pics about this subject, but unfortunately have problem about size, I will send them tomorrow, I hope. :|

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I put these 2 pictures here because seems Sara can't do this...:)

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Thank you very very much Alexandru! :D :D

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You are welcome Sara :D ;)

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My fly has setae similar to the first drawing, one row along the outer edge of the triangle. Are both drawings Chloropsina?

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At first be careful about area of setulae, you told me:
"The raised ocellar triangle includes a narrow, yellow border. The yellow border has six or seven setulae on each side."
So, seems it shows those are in outer margin of ocellar triangle, Please look at your sample more carefully, setulae are like the first one pic that I showed you? (They are related to Thaumatomyia sp.) In first pic, the setulae are inner margin of triangle and also if you see, setula are all over margin of, not just six or seven setulae!!!!
Anyway, I wrote for you other characters in the key for arriving to Chloropsina genus! :)

- Ocellar triangle with 1 or more rows of setulae on lateral margins. *
- Ocellar triangle without setulae on lateral margins.

- Scutum yellow with more or less developed black or red stripes; rarely entirely dark, then with scutellum flattened and apical scutellar setae approximated. *
- Scutum entirely black.

- Scutellum flattened and with approximated apical setae.
- Scutellum not flattened, apical setae not approximated. Chloropsina

Please tell me your reason! :)

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I agree with the key choices you indicated. My fly has "Ocellar triangle with 1 or more rows of setulae on lateral margins" but I think both drawings show that character, or if only one does the first does more than the second.

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I know an expert of Chloropidae in Canada, his name is Terry Wheeler. He knows about fauna of USA very well, I think is better you show him your sample too, for confirmation and sure! :)
If you did, please tell me about result, I'll be many thanks to you! :)
His address mail: terry.wheeler@mcgill.ca
Good luck

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Terry Wheeler thinks Chlorops, with the caveat that generic limits are unclear. There are undescribed species in America that do not fit neatly into European genera.

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Thank you very much my friend! :) :)