Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Chironomidae? = Cricotopus sp
Posted by johnes81 on 28-07-2019 10:40
#1
Berlin - July 2019 - nighttime
Hello everyone, I found this species at my balcony and it was attracted to light. I've seen similar diptera several times before but they were more yellow. I'd like to confirm a family and reach a genus. I'm very curious about the genus. Hopefully we can reach a genus. Let me know if other angles are necessary.
Thank you
Edited by johnes81 on 28-07-2019 14:56
Posted by johnes81 on 28-07-2019 13:10
#2
perhaps
Orthocladiinae Cricotopus (Cricotopus) is correct?
Posted by Tony Irwin on 28-07-2019 14:47
#3
Yes,
Cricotopus for sure, but that colour pattern is found in
Cricotopus (
Cricotopus) e.g.
C. bicinctus; and in
Cricotopus (
Isocladius), e.g.
C. intersectus. With cleared and slide-mounted specimen we could say more.
Posted by johnes81 on 28-07-2019 14:55
#4
super! I appreciate your expertise. You and John Carr are Masters of this family. I enjoy learning from both of you. I respect the both of you very much. Thank you.
Meantime, i will add this to my priority list for examination. I will prepare genitalia and make some microscopic photos of everything. I'll repost when i have material and i realize now that my images can be much larger. I checked my file sizes and it seems as though i can reach sizes of 1000 pixels in height and still be under max size. So i will make larger photos from now on.
Posted by johnes81 on 28-07-2019 15:09
#5
here is a larger photo and it is only 65kb at 92 quality. I have no idea why i haven't noticed this before. Anyway, the image is cropped from the original size so it is original size image. I only have 1:1 macro with extension tubes and this one is small at 1.8mm
Posted by Tony Irwin on 28-07-2019 21:24
#6
John - when preparing the genitalia of this female, you need to mount the last few segments of the abdomen dorso-ventrally (not laterally). They need to be cleared, either beforehand (in KOH or lactic acid), or while it is mounted (in Berlese medium or similar mountant). The differences between the females are very subtle, so the preparation is critical. The remainder of the abdomen should also be mounted dorso-ventrally, and the head, wings and at least one set of legs should also be mounted separately. If your balcony light is still attracting these flies, it would be good to catch a couple of males - they are usually easier to identify! :)