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Hello,

At first I thought this was Smidtia conspersa, but the frontorbital bristles look different. I discovered Smidtia conspersa has 3 dc, this has 4!

Taken on 26th April, near Lincoln UK.

Janet

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pic 2

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pic 3

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crop

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It seems the scutellum apicals are diverging, so Panzeria (Ernestia) laevigata would be my suggestion.

Steve

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Thanks Steve, that's great if it is, there's no photos in the gallery nor even a mention of this species on this site.

If someone else agrees then I will add the photos to the gallery, is Panzeria now the preferred genus?

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Yes, I noticed there were no photos too, but wait for an expert opinion:)

Steve

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I must say that it did look like an Ernestia (Panzeria) to me but I see laevigata so rarely that I would have to key it to be sure :)

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I can post closer shots of the side view if you need them.

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Steve's opinion was already an expert opinion.


Theo

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Thank you for the confirmation Theo, I was hoping you would appear! Thanks again to Steve. :)

Is Panzeria the current preferred genus? It's still listed as Ernestia here.

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The issue of whether to use Panzeria or Ernestia is likely to remain contentious for a while. Ernestia was preferred by European workers (following Mesnil's preference) but over in the US they have been using Panzeria, after Monty Wood's preference.

The ICZN rules seem clear that Panzeria is the correct name (Panzeria rudis is the nominate species) and recently, after I drew his attention to the problem, Peter Tschorsig informed me that he would be using Panzeria in place of Ernestia in the future. But places like the DI gallery and FaunaEuropaea are likely to continue using Ernestia for a while, until they are changed.

Then there are people like Cerretti who use Panzeria to cover Ernestia, Eurithia, Appencidica & Fausta ... but Peter Tschorsnig said that he wouldn't go that far until a complete revision had proven the idea ;)

PS: Nice find - they are quite rare :)

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Thanks Chris, I guess it would be a good idea to use Panzeria with a note in the description indicating the current-about-to-be-abolished name.

Another rare fly I have found! :D I thought by the indication there was more than 50 records on your site it wasn't so rare, yet there was nothing here about it!

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Well, you have to remember that when Belshaw trawled the museum collections he might have found 50 specimens but that doesn't mean that the species is widespread (they might have all come from a few localities) or common (it might have declined) these days.

In my experience records for Panzeria laevigata are submitted every year but not many, so I'd say that you are lucky to have found it :)

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Looks like there should be a new dot on the map in that big sparse blank space of Lincolnshire!

http://data.nbn.o...0000030118

Do you still have my location details Chris? If not I can give it again. I still have to sort the rest of last year's photos.

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Just PM or email me when you have the records sorted out - all welcome :D