Diptera.info

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 22:17

Today was day #1 of the DF field meeting to the New Forest, Hampshire - a great day was had by all but the number of flies was a bit low. But the weather here has been wet and cold so it wasn't unexpected.

Photos to follow :)

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 22:19

Mark-uk wrote:
Hi Chris

so you have sorted all the New Forest Material already?

:)

Moved this to a new thread to avoid hijacking the Gonia thread ;)

I have had a look and there is a mix of stuff ... Phasia hempitera was probably the commonest tachinid on the day. Then we seem to have picked up 2 Phorocera (obscura & assimilis?) and a Phryxe but none of the material is really what I'd call "easy" so I'll have to add IDs when I have had a chance to key them ;)

Did you get anything good?

Edited by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 22:20

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 22:31

How many Dipterists does it take to catch a fly? Here Alan Stubbs, Roger Morris, Martin Drake & Mark Mitchell prove that it certainly takes more than 1 ;)

Edited by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 22:34

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 22:37

Chris Bentley looks to the heavens for inspiration... I'm still not convinced that a leaf-litter tray is essential equipment for a Diptera meeting ;)

Posted by Mark-uk on 12-05-2012 22:38

Still sifting through it all - On the Tachinind front also lots of hempitera - I have Siphona sp

So far -Some nice hoverflies - Fungas knats in very large numbers. and a nice Myopa sp.

Mark

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 22:39

Ken Merrifield, keen Dipterist and purveyor of fine pooters, watched by Malcolm Smart & Erica McAlister...

Edited by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 22:40

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 22:43

#10

... and lastly another fly ... not sure which Ferdinandia this might be - better off in the ID forums but anyone got a clue? :)

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 22:47

#12

Mark-uk wrote:
Still sifting through it all - On the Tachinind front also lots of hempitera - I have Siphona sp. So far -Some nice hoverflies - Fungas knats in very large numbers. and a nice Myopa sp.

Yes, it seems to have been a good day for the syrphid experts but I think when we get all the tachinids identified there will probably be more species than it might have seemed ;)

Still, I'd be interested to know how you all get on tomorrow. Steve & I called in on Denny Wood again and stood by the hawthorns and caught a few more tachinids. So it would be worthwhile going back again tomorrow :)

PS: if I have missed out anyone in the photos then let me know and I'll add their names ... I just never get around to asking everyone their names! ;)

Edited by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 22:50

Posted by ChrisR on 13-05-2012 00:25

#13

OK, my preliminary tachinid list for the day:
- Phasia hemiptera
- Phorocera obscura
- Phorocera assimilis
- Lypha dubia
- Phryxe magnicornis (very nice!)
- Smidtia conspersa

Not a bad catch actually and better than I thought we'd had :)