Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Psilopa ID confirm?

Posted by Carnifex on 09-10-2019 20:25
#1

Hi,
this small (2mm) fly was found on Phragmites near a fishpond in Burgenland/Austria.
I noticed a strong bristle at the base of the flagellum.

inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/53670344/large.jpeg
inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/53670360/large.jpeg
inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/53670379/large.jpeg

Edited by Carnifex on 24-05-2023 21:31

Posted by John Carr on 09-10-2019 22:10
#2

Ephydridae (arista with hairs only dorsally)

Posted by Carnifex on 09-10-2019 22:30
#3

Thanks, I will try the British Key, hope it works for central Europe as well.
Also, adjusted the title

Edited by Carnifex on 09-10-2019 22:31

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 10-10-2019 20:30
#4

Psilopa, I think

Posted by Carnifex on 18-10-2019 15:13
#5

Using the British key, I am passing Psilopa and reaching Athyroglossa. Does that look reasonable?

Posted by John Carr on 18-10-2019 15:16
#6

In the American key,

Posterior margin of postgena meeting occiput at acute angle; postgena with fine pale setulae. Mostly or entirely shiny black species, with setation much reduced ... Athyroglossa and Platygymnopa

Posterior margin of postgena meeting occiput at obtuse and broadly rounded angle; postgena usually with coarse black setulae. Shiny to dull species with setation usually well-developed ... other genera including Psilopa

Posted by Carnifex on 18-10-2019 15:23
#7

It's shiny black surface makes it difficult to spot setae, but it doesn't seem to have coarse black setulae at the postgena.
On the thorax, there are about 8-10 nicely separated rows of fine setae.
What does the term 'Face wrinkled below the protuberance' mean, where do I have to look?

Posted by Tony Irwin on 18-10-2019 17:23
#8

Vein R2+3 is much longer in Athyroglossa - I'm inclined to favour Psilopa, but it's difficult to say from photos. We'll need better lighting and focus to take this one further, I think.

Posted by Carnifex on 19-10-2019 20:19
#9

Ok, trying to take this thing further :)

But first, I have to admit I am struggling with the wording in the British key, namely at the decision at the path between Psilopa or others:

'Four sub-equal setae in front of the scutellum, the inner pair not being the last in the line of the innermost small ‘acrostichal’ hairs but with two rows of hairs between the inner pair of prescutellar setae'

I am not sure what the termn 'last' refers to.

Anyways, I hope the pictures provided (pre-scutellar bristles and minute diverging post-ocellar setae) are helpful for the ID

inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/54465334/large.jpeg
inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/54465352/large.jpg

Edited by Carnifex on 24-05-2023 21:32

Posted by Carnifex on 26-01-2020 11:59
#10

I have the specimen now as Psilopa nitidula, but a confirmation would be nice :)