Diptera.info

Posted by Maherjos on 25-09-2020 10:02

Photograph taken on 23 September, 10 October, 11 November, 12 December 2020 in the wetlands of Padul, Granada, Spain.
Body size greater than a centimeter and markedly gray color

Thanks for your help in advance. :)

Edited by Maherjos on 25-09-2020 16:49

Posted by Tony Irwin on 25-09-2020 10:46

This is a male chironomid, in the tribe Chironomini. The mid-line structures at the base of some of the abdominal segments suggest Glyptotendipes to me, but I'm not sure whether you have other genera in Spain that might have them too.

Posted by Maherjos on 25-09-2020 16:47

Tony Irwin wrote:
This is a male chironomid, in the tribe Chironomini. The mid-line structures at the base of some of the abdominal segments suggest Glyptotendipes to me, but I'm not sure whether you have other genera in Spain that might have them too.

John Carr wrote:
I think the abdominal structures are unique to Glyptotendipes.

Tony Irwin, John Carr, I am very grateful for the help you give me in identifying this dipteran.
I guess getting to know his species will be something impossible ...

Best regards from the south of Spain. :D

Posted by Tony Irwin on 25-09-2020 19:37

It's true that getting to species from a chironomid photo is very difficult - so many genera have very similar species that can only be distinguished with certainty by examining the male genitalia.

Posted by Maherjos on 25-09-2020 21:49

Tony Irwin wrote:
It's true that getting to species from a chironomid photo is very difficult - so many genera have very similar species that can only be distinguished with certainty by examining the male genitalia.

I appreciate your response Tony.
The subject of genitalia is still complicated for me, and I have not yet decided to try to do it. In this case, it would also be impossible, since I did not have the opportunity to collect the insect after taking the photographs ...
Thanks again for your help.
José Marín (Maherjos)