Posted by sd on 15-05-2022 17:50
#1
Pandelleia sexpunctata (Tachinidae) female
France, Haute-Pyrenees, Barege
4th August 2016. Altitude 1 725m
Using Mesnil's 1975 key, very wide frons and strong spots on T2, this is
P. sexpunctata rather than the other Western European species
P. otiorrynchi
The specimen was collected a few years ago but quickly became greasy. Some work with solvent has mostly restored it for these current photos.
As sometimes happens, a lucky first sweep on steep grazed hillside with low juniper yielded this lovely
Pandelleia. As also sometimes happens, another hour's sweeping trying for another provided for nothing other than a very tired arm! There were plentiful large black weevils feeding on thistles which may well have been the target host.
Steve
Posted by Zeegers on 16-05-2022 08:46
#7
Hi Steve
Very nice indeed ! I once caught this species in the Spanish Pyrenees in the Ripoll - Olot region. Peter Tschorsnig informed me at that time that he believed sexpunctata and otiorynchi to be synonyms.
Which would solve all your problems :)
Theo
Posted by sd on 16-05-2022 10:40
#8
Looking at the key, synonyms would seem to be reasonable :)
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 22-05-2022 11:42
#9
Nice one Steve. I have just posted a photo of the male for this amazing species!!! :)