Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Pupa from Warbler nest

Posted by Holenester on 15-12-2018 18:36
#1

Hi,
I found this pupae burrowed among nest material of Wood Warbler nest. Is it Asilidae?

Edited by Holenester on 15-12-2018 18:43

Posted by Holenester on 15-12-2018 18:37
#2

Another view:

Edited by Holenester on 15-12-2018 18:44

Posted by Holenester on 15-12-2018 18:39
#3

Ans last one, more focused on the head part:

Edited by Holenester on 15-12-2018 18:44

Posted by Tony Irwin on 16-12-2018 12:42
#4

Looks like it. Normally asilid larvae are found in soil, so I'd say this ended up in the nest accidentally. I assume the wood warbler was ground-nesting, as is usual for the species.

Posted by Quaedfliegh on 16-12-2018 19:00
#5

Could it be a Rhagionidea?

Posted by Holenester on 16-12-2018 19:14
#6

I still have this pupa, preserved in alcohol. I may put here additional photo, if there is a chance to id to the family level.

Posted by Quaedfliegh on 17-12-2018 17:44
#7

I hope more colleagues will have a look at it. Usually pupae of the Asilidae have more projections at the head, but I could find one illustration in Melin 1923 of a pupa of Leptogaster cylindrica which only has two projections, similar to this one.

Posted by Holenester on 17-12-2018 21:28
#8

On these pictures two additional projectors (below these huge) are visible. Maybe this could be useful.

Posted by Holenester on 17-12-2018 21:29
#9

And another perspective:

Posted by Even Dankowicz on 13-01-2019 20:48
#10

This appears to be a member of Therevidae. The supra-alar processes are elongate, whereas they are truncate and resemble a short carina in Asilidae. Furthermore, note the laterally-protruding antennal sheaths (these are more posteriorly directed in Asilidae) and the slender posterior processes, which are thickened and thornlike in Asilidae.

Stubbs & Drake 2001 have a good key to families of British pupae, and in this case its diagnosis would have been correct (it doesn't always work in other parts of the world).

I wouldn't be surprised if somebody more familiar with Therevidae could identify this further.

Posted by Paul Beuk on 18-01-2019 10:07
#11

May I suggest Scenopinidae? Perhaps also more likely to be found in a bird's nest?

Posted by Even Dankowicz on 25-01-2019 05:08
#12

I recall reading somewhere that elongate supra-alar processes like we see here are limited to Therevinae (which has certainly been my experience with specimens). I'll see if I can find the reference soon.

Posted by Paul Beuk on 29-01-2019 12:55
#13

Comparing with Manual of Nearctic Diptera I concur with Therevidae.