Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Criorhina spec.

Posted by Gerard Pennards on 31-08-2004 10:58
#1

Dear all,
Here are some pictures from some syrphids that I caught in the Greek mountains in this summer.
They are members of the genus Criorhina. Because of the bundle of yellow hairs in the corners of tergite 2, you would think it is Criorhina floccosa.
However, floccosa looks like a orange bumblebee, and these are more black and white on the abdomen. Is this another species, or just an variation of C. floccosa?
Greetings,

www.diptera-info.nl/images/Criorhina-spec1.jpg
www.diptera-info.nl/images/Criorhina-spec2.jpg
www.diptera-info.nl/images/Criorhina-spec3.jpg
www.diptera-info.nl/images/Criorhina-spec4.jpg

Posted by Menno Reemer on 31-08-2004 11:57
#2

Dear Gerard,
My first impression is that it's C. berberina. Usually the posterior part of the mesoscutum has black hairs (except for forma oxyacanthae of course), but I remember that I have seen more specimens with this (aberrant?) coloration of the hairs. I will check it in my collection, but I can't do that right now...

Posted by Gerard Pennards on 31-08-2004 23:19
#3

Dear All,
According to Ante Vujic (thanks Ante) these specimens are indeed Criorhina floccosa.
On the Balkan peninsula (and seemingly also in Greece) this color aberration seems to be more frequent!
Greetings

Posted by Zeegers on 07-09-2004 17:43
#4

Dear Gerard,

In floccosa the same two varieties as in berberina occur, typical and oxyacanthae so to speak.
Of course, in central Europe the oxycanthae-variety of floccoa is far more common than the 'typical' as shown in your picture.
But I have once seen such a dark specimen from The Netherlands.

Floccosa and berberina can always very easily be separated by the colouration of the third antennal segment.

And beware of Mallota abroad !!!


Theo Zeegers