Posted by Filex on 18-09-2007 21:05
#1
This is a picture taken this September 16th in a mountain meadow in the Eastern Pyrenees, in Girona, Spain at about 1100 m high, within a Abies alba, Pinus uncinata and Fraxinus excelsior forest. The flies were on Cyrsium eriophorum. I think they are Urophora but any idea of the actual species?
I would also appreciate a good suggestion for literature on the identification of Tephritidae in general.
Thanks a lot in advance
Miquel
Posted by Sundew on 18-09-2007 21:44
#2
Cirsium eriophorum is the host plant of
U. stylata, but the pattern of the wing coloration does not match. The shape of the black spots points to
U. quadrifasciata, whose larvae feed on seeds of
Centaurea and are used for biological weed control.
Let us see what the tephritid specialists say. The photo is very nice!
Sundew
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 18-09-2007 22:00
#3
OT: are there any trust sites to see flora with correct IDs? :(