Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Bombyliidae?
Posted by Flippie on 02-09-2019 08:45
#1
It's wild flower season on the west coast of South Africa. Found these diptera visiting one of the flower species. Body length around 6mm I would guess. Photographed yesterday, Paternoster town, West coast, Western Cape, South Africa. Sea level. I would like to confirm the family and progress the ID if possible. The first 4 images are of the male and the last 4 of the female (I think).
Image 1:
Posted by Flippie on 02-09-2019 08:46
#2
Photo 2:
Posted by Flippie on 02-09-2019 08:46
#3
Photo 3:
Posted by Flippie on 02-09-2019 08:48
#4
Photo 4:
Posted by Flippie on 02-09-2019 08:48
#5
Photo 5:
Posted by Flippie on 02-09-2019 08:49
#6
Photo 6:
Posted by Flippie on 02-09-2019 08:49
#7
Photo 7:
Posted by Flippie on 02-09-2019 08:50
#8
Photo 8:
Posted by John Carr on 02-09-2019 13:53
#9
From looking at the chapter on Bombyliidae in
Manual of Afrotropical Diptera I suspect subfamily Mariobezzinae. There is a genus
Callynthrophora with clubbed antennae, swollen frons, and tuft of hairs behind metathoracic spiracle, but is is very rare. You would have to consult original literature to see if you have it.
Posted by John Carr on 02-09-2019 15:15
#10
I consulted the review by Hesse (1938, Annals of the South African Museum 34:775-780). It could be
Callynthrophora. I don't trust Hesse's key to species because he never saw the type of
C. capensis Schiner.
Edit: I didn't read enough. The more common and closely related
Corsomyza can have clubbed antenna too. So you have something in that part of the family but I won't say which genus.
Edited by John Carr on 02-09-2019 15:19
Posted by Flippie on 02-09-2019 23:34
#11
Thanks John, that is valuable information.