Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Surinamese Archytas ?aurifrons (Tachinidae)

Posted by Auke on 03-12-2015 20:33
#1

Suriname, Brokopondo, Brownsberg plateau (about 500m asl). Night of 23-XI-2015. On light installation with HPL.

Any thoughts on the ID of this specimen?

Thanks!

Edited by Auke on 05-12-2015 16:25

Posted by John Carr on 03-12-2015 20:36
#2

Possibly Archytas.

Posted by Auke on 03-12-2015 21:02
#3

Wow. I actually thought about Tachinidae because of all the thick stiff hairs on the abdomen. Guess that's some kind of hallmark of the family than?

Posted by ChrisR on 03-12-2015 21:53
#4

Many tachinids have strong bristles but so do sarcopagids, and many tachinids have very few bristles ;)

This looks strikingly like Archytas aurifrons, which I caught in French Guiana (a few km from you) and that was identified for me by Monty Wood :) Did you take specimens?

Posted by Auke on 03-12-2015 22:35
#5

I'll note it as Archytas ?aurifrons than.

No specimens taken, as I was in a protected area and export from Suriname is also not allowed without an export permit (which you only get when you can show a research permit). I would be happy to collect flies if someone would request and obtain a research permit on which I would be named as co-researcher. At the moment I collect scarab beetles, butterflies and selected moth families for research purposes, but I could add flies to the list, especially species which are attrackted to light. I could provide you with digital permit request forms etc.

Also, please feel free to post your photos, including ID requests, from French Guiana and the other Guianas on www.guianasnatureforum.org.

Scarabaeoid