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Found in a container with Lepidoptera pupae, but I'm ignorant what was the host :(. Size 10 mm. Prosternum a bit deformed, although I remember I handled it with enough care...

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A dorsal view + the head.

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Nilea hortulana perhaps? :)

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Thanks Chris - maybe I'll have some time and try to key it myself before Theo strikes :) (but it's much easier to key a new Platypezidae...)

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Chris, excellent call !
I puzzled me.
You can see the characteristic fringe of bristles on the tibia 3 nicely in the first picture.
Black: this means the host was some Noctuidae, probably Acronicta.
Does that ring a bell ?


Theo Zeegers

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Wohoo! I seem to be on a roll recently! ;)

Actually, I hadn't noticed the fringe of bristles on the hind tibia before you pointed it out Theo - I don't see many Nilea here. :( It's not 100% clear inthe photo but is it identical to the Sturmia bristle-comb?

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It's quite like Sturmia, slightly less pronounced though, especially in some females. Nilea is easier reared than caught in the field, which supports your ID.


Theo

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Oh, many thanks Theo and Chris. There's a number of Acronicta pupae so this fits OK (only one A. megacephala has hatched recently, there's also some A. alni and A. aceris).