Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Hercostomus sp. female
Posted by DedeLab on 09-08-2026 21:48
#1
Hi, this Dolicho was found in Pyrénées at the altitude of 1680 m. I measured it 4 mm.
I think it could be Hercostomus germanus because :
- no bristles on the hind basitarsus
- clypeus united with eye-margins at sides, apicai margin straight
- yellow femora
- dark proboscis
- white lower postocular setae
- 3rd antennal segment entirely black
- fore tibia with at least 1 posteroventral bristle
- black squamal fringe
Edited by DedeLab on 28-08-2026 16:54
Posted by DedeLab on 09-08-2026 21:49
#2
2nd picture :
Posted by Igor Grichanov on 10-08-2026 10:59
#3
Hercostomus germanus has short proboscis.
Consider
Ortochile barbicoxa.
Posted by DedeLab on 10-08-2026 16:40
#4
Many thanks Igor, !
Would it be possible to get a description of this species, please? I can't find anything online. Thanks in advance.
Edited by DedeLab on 12-08-2026 14:04
Posted by DedeLab on 12-08-2026 14:01
#5
Igor, I have looked further into the identification of this female. I found confirmed females of Hercostomus germanus, including one photographed in copula, and they seem very similar to my specimen.
In particular, the proboscis is distinctly longer in the female than in the male of H. germanus. In my specimen, proboscis/head length = 0.47 and proboscis/head height = 0.73. A photographed female of H. germanus gives approximately 0.40 and 0.60 respectively.
My specimen also has fore femur entirely yellow, apparently yellow fore coxa, and uniserial lower postocular setae. These characters seem difficult to reconcile with the male description of Ortochile barbicoxa.
Could this actually be a female of Hercostomus germanus?
Photo Diptera info :
Edited by DedeLab on 12-08-2026 14:04
Posted by DedeLab on 12-08-2026 14:05
#6
Photo GBIF :
Edited by DedeLab on 12-08-2026 14:09
Posted by Igor Grichanov on 14-08-2026 09:26
#7
André, I've checked my pinned females caught together with males of
germanus last month, and they have small palpi and proboscis. Other visible characters are the same.
Posted by DedeLab on 14-08-2026 19:21
#8
Thank you very much, Igor, for this reply. I am currently away and will respond in a few days. Best regards, André.
Posted by DedeLab on 18-08-2026 20:06
#9
Thanks Igor. So, apart from the size of the palpi and proboscis, do you think all the other visible characters of my female are consistent with Hercostomus germanus? And do you still consider Ortochile barbicoxa more likely?
Posted by Marc Pollet on 21-08-2026 09:39
#10
Dear Dede,
One month ago, we returned from a three weeks expedition in the Pyrenees (Ariège, Hautes-Pyrénées, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) which was very successfull (we assembled 158 samples). I checked your specimen with Parent (1938) which is still relevant for this region and come to H. germanus as yourself. This is certainly not an Ortochile.
If you would be interested in my results, keep in touch via mpollet.doli@gmail.com.
All the best,
Marc
Posted by Marc Pollet on 21-08-2026 09:46
#11
Dear Dede,
Some nuance is necessary here. Based on Parent (1938), this is H. germanus, but I do not rule out that new species are present in the Pyrenees. I have several species of this H. germanus species group in my collection from the eastern Pyrenees, that are new to science. So I would mark it as "? H. germanus" for the time being, as the proboscis is rather long and the hind femur as a dark apex (less pronounced in H. germanus). Sorry for the confusion.
Cheers,
Marc