Diptera.info

Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Help again pls

Posted by Rafael Estevez on 31-08-2007 20:04

Photo taken in Zamanes - Vigo (Spain) 450 mts. early august 2007, size about 5 mm. damp grassland field near pine wood.
Rafael

Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 31-08-2007 20:23

Why not Atherigona varia (Muscidae) ?

Greetings.

Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 01-09-2007 08:53

Nobody to correct me ?
So I must be right with this nice one. :)

Posted by Rafael Estevez on 01-09-2007 10:12

It certainly looks like it.
Thnks Stephane..
Rafael

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 01-09-2007 12:50

It is a pleasure o meet this nice fly here.
Of course, there are no doubts about genus, but species level ID isn't as easy.
I have rather large collection of Atherigona from Senegal, Egypt, Turkey and Oriental.
The only key I could found is Adrian Pont's key for Saudi Arabia. With this key I have 95-98% ID of several species: A.bredfordi, A.laevigata, A.orientalis.
A.varia absent in Saudi Arabia and absent in Pont's key. There is description of A.varia in Gregor at all key for Central Europe and key for European Russia. But in both cases descriptions have been done in knowledge that A.varia is the only Atherigona in region and are not enought to be sure in case like this (Spain) where there are several more species.
Have you Stephane (or anybody else) reliable ID specimen of A.varia? I'll be happy to see photo or ask several questions to such specimen owner:o
Nikita

Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 01-09-2007 13:15

No, I never found Atherigona. :( That why my answer was not sure.
I'm just beginning studying Muscidae, my collection is very very small...

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 01-09-2007 13:44

No, I never found Atherigona.

It is a pity - in France A.non-varia is less probable than in Spain.
I can say that in another Mediterranian country - Turkey, tiny lake Titreyen near Side I found at least 3 different species of Atherigona at once!
And I still don't know is A.varia among its or not :(
Someday we'll know the answer!
Nikita

Posted by Stephen on 02-09-2007 10:13

Rafael, I can't help but add that this is an exceptional photo, so sharp and detailed, and nice composition too!

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 20-10-2007 19:57

Today at Sochi region I collected 2 Atherigona varia, now I know how it looks like!
It looks exactly as this one, so Stephane ID is correct - A.varia
Rafael, will you please, submit in Gallery!
Nikita

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 20-10-2007 20:00

#10

Again in Sochi?? :| you lucky man! Always travelling. :) airplane? :D

Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 20-10-2007 20:04

#11

I'm happy for you Nikita, you have found it ! Not my case yet.
What was the habitat ?

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 20-10-2007 20:06

#12

this one Stpehane: >> I think something like this
http://diptera.in...ad_id=6523

and next year there will be a total solar eclipse in RUSSIA! 1 August 2008. :) Siberia region, Novosibirsk will testify the great event (2 minutes).

Posted by Rui Andrade on 20-10-2007 20:08

#13

private jet :D:o

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 21-10-2007 06:26

#14

What was the habitat ?

According Gregor et al. host plant and larvae of A.varia are still unknown. I susupect I know the answer - no host plant as in case of Atherigona orientalis, but varios decaying matter. My specimens was from dead rat I was lucky to find at Imeretinsky lowland (future Olympic village of Sochi 2014:() Also some specimens from Turkey was A.varia too I guess now - and again all females and all from carrion!
Nikita

Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 21-10-2007 19:43

#15

Thanks for the information Nikita. ;)

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 02-11-2007 09:21

#16

It is Atherigona varia from Sochi.
2 spp with darkened t3 apical half, 1sp like on Rafael's image

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 02-11-2007 09:34

#17

Opps!
It isn't intra-species variations, but two different species (also palpi and frons differs) - one A.varia, another one new for Russia another Atherigona. Which one out of 2 is A.varia I don't know again :o
Nikita

Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 02-11-2007 10:35

#18

What a geometrical fly ; all seems to be square, head, antennae. An amazing robot fly ! :)

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 05-11-2007 14:26

#19

Stephane, I had reason to be careful in species level ID of European Atherigona! I started to suspect it as soon as sent previos reply, but now I've got confirmation from Adrian Pont - my 2 species from Sochi are both new for Russia (and Central Europe) and no one out of 2 is A.varia :o
Nikita
P.S. Still, Rafael's image well may be A.varia (or A.pulla)

Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 06-11-2007 23:32

#20

OK, I take due note of this.
What species did you find ?

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 06-11-2007 23:42

#21

I wish I knew :@
I send all my Atherigona to Adrian Pont, next week I'll send 1+2 females from Sochi too. To my luck Dr. Pont works on article about Palearctic Atherigona, so he doesn't mind to get my material (excliding material from Senegal :(). Soon I'll get back 1/2 specimens with Pont's ID. It will be good point to start to understand this genus in Med.
To my grate luch, Adrian Pont also interesting in Oriental A., so next month I'll collect and send him flies from Thailand.
So, soon I'll be junior A. expert!
But not yet:(
Nikita

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 13-02-2008 21:43

#22

With determinated material I've got from Adrian Pont, I'd say that it is Atherigona pulla

Posted by Stephane Lebrun on 13-02-2008 22:06

#23

Thanks. ;)
My challenge for this year is to find Atherigona varia.

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 13-02-2008 22:16

#24

Stephane Lebrun wrote:
Thanks. ;)
My challenge for this year is to find Atherigona varia.

Mine too. :D