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I've tried to figure out a genus but no luck. I made this photo in May but on a very windy day. I only have this photo before the wind carried it away to the next photographer :)

I have tried Actia but I do not see setae on the wings. I have looked at Meigenia and it seems to be a match but not exactly. I'm hoping for a tip in the right direction ...

Thank You.

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My first impression is a Siphonini, mainly because of the venation. Pity no more views... If I am in the right tribu (wihich would be a miracle ;) ), the closest I can think is Aphantorhaphopsis but it is only a suggestion. I don't think it is Siphona (antennae look wrong to my eyes and I always need the lateral view to be sure) but reminds me of it somehow.

Once more, we need Theo ;)

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I hardly dare to share my first impression, which is Baumhaueria.....

Theo

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Thanks Piluca, I thought of Siphona. However, none of them seem to match.

I have to laugh now because my first impression of this was Gonia like. I remember Gonia genus because of the odd shape of their heads.

I need to snap out of it. I am beginning to struggle with Tachinids. I need to regroup and re-train myself. I seem to have alot of trouble with these.

Thank You both.
Theo, you're Magnificent.

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If you google the second name of Baumhaueria, You stop laughing ....

Theo

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Baumhaueria goniaeformis if I am correct?

goniaeformis is why I laugh. I was thinking how much the head looks like a Gonia so I should've noticed this name [goniaeformis]. I somehow missed it. I must be more tired than I imagine. I got some sleep now. I will read about Baumhaueria today.

I want to retrain myself with Tachinidae. I am struggling with this family.

I have to say that this is a lovely species. I remember that it was a very windy day. Many flies take flight as soon as I approach them. This one just sat there looking at me. I really enjoyed photographing it. I am wrong about having only one photo. I have others. I didn't look at all of my photos from that day. Anyway, this is a very cool fly. I hope to meet it again. I would like a specimen for study.

I will add more photos from that day if you want to look at them. Let me know ...

Thank You, Theo.

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If you have a lateral shot, no matter how bad, that would really help.


Theo

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best lateral view that I have. The wind was very strong on this day. You can see my hand in the background. I had to hold onto the plant.

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I understand that Baumhaueria is rare. Interesting.

I've seen crossed apicals but crossed marginals? is this normal?

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I've read the description from Meigen and the keys from Tschorsnig. I agree with some of the data but not all of it:

Head is Gonia-like, pearlgray with a dark shimmer.
antennae almost as long as the face. Arista thick with hair-like tip.
four dark stripes on thorax (a bit broken but Meigen's drawing looks broken)
no apical scutellar brsitles but two bristles before the apex.
wings have a brown tint.
pre-alar bristle looks longer than the anterior intra-alar setae
cheeks have hair present.
frons is deep black (but grayish at various angles)
eyes look bare to me.

I assume this to be Baumhaueria goniaeformis unless you say otherwise.

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OK, so I checked my collection.
It is not Baumhaueria, it is Istochaeta, which was always the alternative in my mind.
The two genera are remarkably similar from this angle of view (but very different in lateral view !).
Istochaeta is even more rare than Baumhaueria.....


Theo

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That's fantastic! Thank You Sir Theo!

My Wife told me that you updated the post. I am in the middle of dissecting Lucilia sericata female. I want to study the Spermathecae. I finally separated them.

I notice that my lateral view is missing. I must've deleted it. Very sorry. I will fix the post when I am finished with Lucilia.

Tschorsnig is much too intelligent for me to follow. I think that I need a Tachinidae identification for dummies book. I am struggling with this family. I am thankful that you help me. I will be sure to buy a Zeegers book to show my appreciation.

I'm off to finish my lab work ...

Thank You.

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Dear Theo, I wonder what is your opinion about the arista?
I figure that it will be difficult to reach a species level but Tschorsnig's keys begin by describing the arista. I think that the arista are only thickened at the base which leads to one species: hemichaeta. The info about hemichaeta seems to fit well.

hemichaeta can be found from April to end of May. I found this in mid may. The others are supposed to be active from June onwards but they are supposed to have much thicker arista. Cinerea is supposed to be out in April but the arista doesn't match.

Do you think that this could be hemichaeta?

I'm sorry if my text is confusing. I need to sleep soon...
I will fix the missing photos tomorrow. Let me know if you want to view larger photos.

Goodnight.

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In eastern North America Istocheta adults are rarely seen, but eggs are common on Japanese Beetles (Popillia japonica) which the flies were introduced to control.

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Species of Istochaeta are extremely similar. I am not going to speculate on the species with the material presently available.

Theo

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I suppose that I can find the eggs for an id.
I am lucky to have seen this species but I'm very angry at myself for not collecting it.

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so now do you understand why I say genitalia is required for everything?
which reminds me, I have collected a few more Tachinids, so I will post genitalia when I have time to do so.

Regarding the Istochaeta: next time I will collect it. It is small, maybe 5mm, so it should be hemichaeta.
I doubt that I will have found an undescribed species. I highly doubt it.

I will try my best to collect it next May.

Thank You very much for your Time and Effort.
Theo, you are are a nonpareil individual.