---

In the Manual of the Nearactic Diptera "Empididae" key (combines Empididae and Hybotidae), the lack of hairs on the laterotergite points away from Rhamphomyia and I end up at Trichina. Using Paul Beuk's online hybotid key, it's Trichinomyia rather than Trichina on the basis of the greater number of scutellar bristles and the stigma not extending to tip of vein R2+3 (couplet 25).

There are lots of caveats to that "ID" including not having a photo of the face; not knowing if Trichinomyia is found in North America; this fly being larger than Melander's size for Trichina; and the wing venation not entirely matching Melander's diagram of Trichina clavipes (it does fit the figures accompanying Paul's key)

location: USA, Maryland
date: Nov. 6, 2020
environment: stone wall between a forest and river
size: body 3.8mm

Thanks in advance for the help

Regards,
Steve

---

In Europe this definitely would be Trichinomyia. First record for the Nearctic of an undescribed species (presumably because only the female was found):
Cumming, J.M., B.J. Sinclair, S.E. Brooks, J. Mlynarek & T.A. Wheeler, 2018. Diversity of saproxylic dance flies and long-legged flies (Diptera: Empidoidea) in a temperate deciduous forest in Quebec, Canada. - Zootaxa 4521(2): 287-293.

---

Thanks Paul!