Diptera.info

Posted by Amenhotep on 08-05-2007 13:30

Could someone point me into the direction of at least what kind of diptera this is.

Location: West Scotland Beach, near Ardrossan. Found in ground under stone with, what I think were collembola, or something that jumped and was white. The fly itself seemed to like to jump too, but I might be mistaken.
The location was at the edge of the beach, just where the grass starts. The date was the 07.05.2007. Approximate size 0.5 to 0.7 cm.

Edited by Amenhotep on 08-05-2007 13:57

Posted by Paul Beuk on 08-05-2007 13:49

It gives me the impression of Sphaeroceridae - Copromyzinae, but unfortunately the hind legs are out of focus so it is not possible to check whether the hind metatarsus is swollen or not. Moreover, I am a little baffled by the given size. is it really only 0.5-0.7 mm?

Posted by Amenhotep on 08-05-2007 13:56

Aehm sorry cm, I was so focused on giving all info :\

Sadly since I tried my new macro on extreme apperture I have no hind legs in focus.

Thanks for your reply. :)

Posted by Paul Beuk on 08-05-2007 14:03

Well, the spine on the mid tibia rules out some species, but other details I would need are not visible. If you still have the specimen, you could send it fot ID.

Posted by Amenhotep on 08-05-2007 14:08

Thanks that was a great help. I released the fly back into its habitat. I was trying to go more for the artistic angle. This is the last photo I have. I try to get some better shots with a higher aperture too next time. Thanks so much anyway,

Posted by Paul Beuk on 08-05-2007 14:18

Well, even the artist may appreciate to have a full name to his subject. In that case it is always best to save the specimen, just in case. And don't worry, collecting the single specimen will not lead to its extinction but eventually even may increase our knowledge of it.

Posted by Paul Beuk on 08-05-2007 14:21

Well..., I'd expect Coelopidae to be much more setose... Wing venation probably fits better for Coelopidae, though.

Posted by Amenhotep on 08-05-2007 14:27

Under normal conditions coelopids are found in the wrack zone of temperate seashores where larvae exploit stranded and rotting seaweed. Specimens are sometimes very abundant in this habitat. Coelopa frigida (Fabricius) has been reared in the laboratory and used for genetic studies.
http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/aocat/coelopidae.html

This would pretty much fit the habitat. Picture below

On attached picture lower right, exactly where the sand hits the grassy rocky zone, i found it. Plenty of rotting seaweed.

Edited by Amenhotep on 08-05-2007 14:28

Posted by Kahis on 08-05-2007 14:36

#10

Well, I'm a bit out of my league, the Baltic sea isn't really saline enough for most of the real coastal species.

Posted by Amenhotep on 08-05-2007 14:41

#11

Well the Sphaeroceridae seem to be also into seaweed.
And it definitly looked more like this one
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Copromyza.equina.jpg

Posted by Kahis on 14-05-2007 22:14

#13

Okay, I was partially right - it is one of the species that don't like our sissy 1% salinity :) Or perhaps it's the fact that the Baltic freezes yearly at least along the shores.

Posted by Tony Irwin on 15-05-2007 00:23

#14

Amenhotep - Would you consider submitting the first picture for the gallery? It would be a useful addition, since Orygma is so un-sepsid like.