Thread subject: Diptera.info :: 4 points fly

Posted by Kahis on 17-05-2005 16:50
#3

Perhaps Paul ment to say Phaonia or Helina? The general habitus on Coenosia is completely different (eyes not approximated on frons etc.). Phaonia and Helina are large genera and reliable identification from photos is often impossible.

Nonetheless, this particular male looks like the Helina reversio (Harris). My Finnish specimens of this very common fly have a darker thorax, but comparison of dead & dried material with photographs or living flies can be very confusing (and fun). H. reversio is also infamous for its subtle but extensive variabilty - it has been descibed over and over again by various authors. Its distribution covers all of Europe (from Crete and Portugal to the mid-alpine zone in the arctic!).