Diptera.info

Posted by Piluca_Alvarez on 14-11-2013 21:34

Found in mixed woodland by a river in the outskirts of Madrid, 12.11.2013. Reminds me of Lonchaeidae, but could belong to many other families. This is just too much for me :o I need help. Thanks in advance!! ;)

Edited by Piluca_Alvarez on 19-11-2013 10:16

Posted by Tony Irwin on 15-11-2013 00:56

I'd agree with Lonchaeidae. Change the title of this post, and hopefully Iain MacGowan will pick it up and suggest a name.

Posted by Iain MacGowan on 16-11-2013 22:23

Hi there its definitely Lonchaeidae, my best bet is genus Lonchaea as the arista seems to be bare but its difficult to tell from the photos hope this helps Iain

Posted by Piluca_Alvarez on 16-11-2013 22:35

Thanks sooo much for your reply, Ian!! :) Yes, it helps a lot because I had no idea the arista was important and didn't pay attetion to it when selecting pictures :(

I have been checking pictures and there is one where I can see 'clearly' (just a way to say that I can see something :D) that there are hairs on the arista. I have put an arrow to show the area where I can see them. It is against the pale background.

Does this help to suggest another possible genus? I am really interested in this one as I hardly ever find Lonchaeidae :(

Edited by Piluca_Alvarez on 19-11-2013 10:13

Posted by Iain MacGowan on 18-11-2013 15:12

Ah yes that helps - I did think that the aculeus (ovipositor) looked a bit like a Silba species but the plumose arista confirms that the specimen belongs to this genus. The most likely candidate in southern Europe is Silba adipata - the black fig fly - a well known pest of fig crops
info at :
http://lonchaeidae.myspecies.info/category/lonchaeidae-classification-and-species-info/lonchaeidae/lonchaeinae/silba/silba-adipata-195

hope this helps ......... Iain