Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Villa hottentotta

Posted by crex on 14-08-2007 19:18
#1

Location: Near Stockholm, Sweden
Date: 2007-AUG-14
Habitat: Park, lawn near bushes.

Hope it is possible to ID this sunbathing Bombyliid. Could it be a Villa hottentotta?

Edited by crex on 14-08-2007 19:48

Posted by Kahis on 14-08-2007 19:39
#2

Not only could it be - it is a female of V. hottentotta :)

Posted by crex on 14-08-2007 19:46
#3

Perfect. My third Bombyliidae :D Thanks Jere!

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 14-08-2007 19:57
#4

Which are the other two, crex? :D

Posted by Kahis on 14-08-2007 21:12
#5

My guess: Bombylius major and Hemipenthes maurus ;).

Those two are by far the most bombylids in northern Europe, with Villa hottentotta probably holding third position.

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 14-08-2007 21:23
#6

if the warming global is really a reality (I don?t trust in warming global), it could be possible to get more and more tropical species in Iberian peninsula I think... and the common species here now, could be more common in North countries..
How many species of bombyliids were spotted in your countries? :) (in average..)

Posted by Kahis on 14-08-2007 21:39
#7

jorgemotalmeida wrote:
if the warming global is really a reality (I don?t trust in warming global), it could be possible to get more and more tropical species in Iberian peninsula I think... and the common species here now, could be more common in North countries..
How many species of bombyliids were spotted in your countries? :) (in average..)


I doubt you'll get real tropical species - there's the little thing called Sahara between you and the tropics, and it will not go away with global warming :)

19 species of bombylids in Finland. Not really impressive, but at least we beat Britain. If there is anything bombylids really do not like, it's rain ;)

Edited by Kahis on 14-08-2007 22:12

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 14-08-2007 21:47
#8

as you know Sahara has frequently sand storms, it could push some insects to the North? Or no? Even so, of course, they must keep all integrity.. :)

Posted by crex on 14-08-2007 22:09
#9

jorgemotalmeida wrote:
Which are the other two, crex? :D


Hemipenthes maurus & Hemipenthes morio. I think I have seen Bombylius major a few times, but I've been unlucky when trying to get them "on film". I have seen Bombyliidae in sunny, a bit sandy lawns and dry spots so I gather they like that.

Edited by crex on 14-08-2007 22:11

Posted by Kahis on 14-08-2007 22:11
#10

jorgemotalmeida wrote:
as you know Sahara has frequently sand storms, it could push some insects to the North? Or no? Even so, of course, they must keep all integrity.. :)


Would not be the first time :) A few years ago we got a cloud of Saharan sand in Finland, leaving a visible coat of grit on cars and other shiny surfaces. In the 19th century, when migratory locusts were still a problem, some flew all the way to Finland 8|. Happily only as single individuals, not swarms of 10^10 hungry bugs :)

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 14-08-2007 22:11
#11

yes. open sites and very sunny are very good to spot these flies. ;)
I never saw H. maurus so far.. :(