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Kursk region, 20 July, step/
Could it be ID till species?

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Hoi Nikita,

I have a copy of drake 1991 Review of British Opomyzidae with a key. In this key there are only 2 with darkened crossveins: O. tripunctata and O. majuscula. I dont think it's tripunctata so it may be majuscula. The characters are not easy to see in this picture:

- tripunctata: 'usually' distinct spot in base of wing, anepimeron with one strong seta in addition to 1-2 weak setae; female sternite 8 entire
- majuscula: no distinct spot at base, anepimeron with 3-5 setulae only, female sternite 8 divided medially

But of course there could be more and other species in Russia.

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Hi Nikita and Louis,

This is indeed not Geomyza tripunctata, nor G. majuscula. But these two species are not the only two species with 2 darkened crossveins. Other species with 2 darkened crossveins are G. annae, G. balachowskyi, G. hackmani, G. martineki, and G. nartshukae.
The specimen of Nikita looks most like a female of G. hackmani. To make sure, you should have a look at sternite 8 (in most cases retracted). On the enclosed picture you see sternite 8 of the following species: 2) G. annae; 3) G. balachowskyi; 4) G. hackmani; 5) G. martineki.

Jan Willem

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Thank you Louis and Jan.
Jan, I think that north step near Kursk is new region for you (it is strange, but nobody worked in Kursk region, the nearest place with some information about Diptera is Voronezh with with examined fauna of Dolichpodidae (Negrobov) and some knowledge about other families).
25-26 May - no Opomyzidae collected
20-21 July - this fly, 2 G.tripunctata and a hell lot of O.florum - either oak forest and step on shadow places.
I think it will be more wise to send you specimen on this post for sure ID (along with Turkish material from last winter ect...)
Nikita

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Hi Nikita,



You're welcome to do so. I will do my best to identify the material.

Jan Willem