Diptera.info

Posted by Morten A Mjelde on 23-09-2018 15:33

Thank you very much, Theo! Leopoldius signatus is the only Leopoldius in Norway - so I Guess L. signatus is right....

Rosevinge

Posted by sd on 23-09-2018 18:17

Hi,

This looks different to L signatus I see here. With Mark van Veen's key

http://home.hccne...ldius.html

I think maybe L calceatum ...Maybe a conopid expert could confirm. If so, a nice find!

This thread illustrates L calceatum (new to Belgium - so heading North...)

https://diptera.i...d_id=63592

Regards,
Steve

Posted by Morten A Mjelde on 23-09-2018 19:46

Thanks a lot, Steve!
L. signatus is probably not right and I agree that it looks more like L. calceatum. (!!!) Hope someone can confirm it.

Rosevinge

Posted by sd on 24-09-2018 09:02

Hi Rosevinge,

Did you find it on flowers or sweeping?

Regards,
Steve

PS I think the correct name is L calceatus

Posted by Ectemnius on 25-09-2018 15:31

#11

Hello Rosevinge15,

Yes, the black bands on the femora, de bl;ack frons and rest of the head yellow, the black band in the front of the wing, and ofcouse the very short proboscis all indicate this species.
New for Norway and even Scandinavia!

I send you a pm as I caught the species on the Balkans a week ago and would like to collaborate on a paper, If you'd like that.

Kind regards,

Ectemnius

Posted by sd on 25-09-2018 20:01

#12

Interesting it was found on Potentilla. Female L signatus are to be found chasing social wasps on ivy (Hedera helix) flowers here in September. With practice, they can be seperated from Vespula by their direct flight and their brighter cleaner yellow colouration. The males are also at Hedera.
I will be looking out for L calceatus in addition from now on!

Steve

Posted by Ectemnius on 26-09-2018 11:23

#13

Well, association of Conopidae with certain flowers does not show in the Dutch and Belgian material I reviewed. (See: http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/document/645910)

They can be found wherever Vespula can be found. Only Leopoldius coronatus and L. diadematus have been bred from Vespula species for sure. It seems likely that the other species also parasitize Vespula. Probably the reason why they're found from the most pristine nature reserves to unattractive backyards in large cities.
Besides L. calceatus, in England, you might want to look out for Leopoldius valvatus. Recently also added to the checklists of Germany, Netherlands and Belgium.

Greetings,

Ectemnius

Posted by Morten A Mjelde on 26-09-2018 22:01

#14

Thank you so much for your help and for interesting information. And thanks a lot for the confirmation, Ectemnius! :)

Rosevinge

Posted by Ectemnius on 27-09-2018 15:54

#15

Hi Rosevinge15,

I sent a mail to Jens-Hermann Stuke, the Conopidae expert worldwide. He confirms the assertion that indeed it is new for Norway.

You did not answer to my question of cooperation in any way to an article... Would you like to cooperate or lend your photo to a paper?

Kind regards,

Ectemnius