---

Can anyone confirm my tentative ID for this weird bombyliid. Took me a long time to work out what it might be..

31.8.10 c7mm Lesbos, Greece

---

Hmm, it is a Toxophora, but according to the Cat. of Pal. Diptera T. fasciculata is a doubtful species. Perhaps it is maculata? The problem is that there are quite some species in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. I do not have a good key to all species.

---

Ok thanks, I had no idea there were more species in southern Europe nor that there is doubt over the status of T. fasciculata. My fly does look very like the images attributed to this species in the gallery from Spain (mostly form Jorgemotalmeida). Maybe he can help if I mail him the image or alert him to this thread.

---

Well, I hope Jorge will react. I fact I expected it already. I am very curious for his opinion.
As far as I know only few people are busy with the Bombyliidae, unfortunately. It is a pity you can't do everything. I do not know exactly how species occur in Southern Europe or may occur there. But I think that quite some species from Nothern Africa or the Middle East may occur also in Southern Europe and especially in Greece.

---

OK, I'll wait for a few days to see if Jorge reacts, and if not I'll pester him with an email, but I think he'd like to see this. Lesbos is an interesting place and many things come from Turkey (which you can see form the island) and Asia as well as from Europe.

---

In case he will react directly to you, please, let me know. I would like to know his opinion. thanks in advance,

cheers,

---

OK, will do, though I may just ask him to look at the thread and react here for you and others to see.

---

This is a Toxophora fasciculata. Seems to me that the photo has the wrong colours. Seems to have false colours.
Two remarks: there is no longer available the Toxophora maculata (seen in Séguy), it was synonymized to Toxophora fasciculata. Another important thing is the fact that this taxon Toxophora fasciculata has a doubtful status. So far there is another Toxophora known for Europe which is Toxophora fuscipennis, but this was not one by sure. And it has, at least, a doubtful record for France, but confirmed records for North Africa.

There are much more Toxophora in USA.

---

Many thanks for your input Jorge. Seems you are saying this is definitely T. fascicuata and that there is no doubt over the status of this species as Ruud was suggesting: "according to the Cat. of Pal. Diptera T. fasciculata is a doubtful species".

I'm not sure why you think the colours are false. They really are not. This shot was taken in daylight in the morning, and I have not manipulated the colours at all, so although the light is a tiny bit warm ( a little more red than blue), the colours on the fly are very natural, with yellowy/orange hairs, the petals of the flowers white.

The hair colours seem similar to those in your images on the gallery, so what looks odd to you? If there is a difference, maybe it is a regional one.

---

well, it must be with the exposure of the photo. The fly is ok for T. fasciculata. I was talking about the photo itself. Specially the contrast of the colours.

Toxophora is an usual visitor on Mentha flowers.

---

Thanks for your reaction, Jorge. It proves again that as soon as a catalogue is published it is already outdated! I will make a note in my catalogue.