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 tachinid fly ID query
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| jane bowman |
Posted on 18-01-2008 10:04
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Member Location: Posts: 70 Joined: 28.12.07 |
Could this fly seen 'talking' with a caterpillar on nettles please be identified. It was found on June 12th in the Scottish Highlands. The surrounding area is deciduous woodland. Thanks Jane Bowman |
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| Zeegers |
Posted on 18-01-2008 13:25
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Member Location: Posts: 18446 Joined: 21.07.04 |
Well, it's a long shot, but my first impression is that of Pelatachina tibialis. If the caterpillar would be a Nymphalid, this would strongly support this guess. And it looks like a Nymphalid, doesn't it? Theo |
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| ChrisR |
Posted on 18-01-2008 14:00
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 Administrator Location: Posts: 7699 Joined: 12.07.04 |
Looks like an Aglais urticae larva to me, so that would figure. Out of interest Theo, what makes you think it is Pelatachina? Great photo, by the way - nature in action!  |
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| Zeegers |
Posted on 18-01-2008 15:29
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Member Location: Posts: 18446 Joined: 21.07.04 |
The size, the wing venation (bend very close to wing margin), the total colouration, the yellowish base of the wings, and these kind of features you won't find in the keys. Nevertheless, if i would have seen reddish tibia, I would have been sure. Theo |
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| jane bowman |
Posted on 20-01-2008 10:16
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Member Location: Posts: 70 Joined: 28.12.07 |
Thanks to Theo and Chris Jane |
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| cosmln |
Posted on 20-01-2008 19:19
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 Member Location: Posts: 956 Joined: 18.03.07 |
i will prefer to see a larger image (to see more from that larva) but for me that look like a young lava of Lymantria dispar cosmln |
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| jane bowman |
Posted on 20-01-2008 19:42
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Member Location: Posts: 70 Joined: 28.12.07 |
larva is definitely Aglais urticae Cosmln Jane |
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| cosmln |
Posted on 20-01-2008 19:54
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Member Location: Posts: 956 Joined: 18.03.07 |
jane bowman wrote: larva is definitely Aglais urticae Cosmln Jane still i'm not sure about that. here you can see larva of Aglais urticae http://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm?SpeciesPages/AglaisUrtic.htm from what i see the larva is hairy not with "needle". i have downloaded the image and enlarged and still is too hairy. please upload a crop of that image to show better that larva. cosmln |
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| Xespok |
Posted on 20-01-2008 20:03
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 Member Location: Posts: 5550 Joined: 02.03.05 |
I have the feeling that this is a 3rd instar of Lymantria dispar. Despite being on nettle.
Gabor Keresztes Japan Wildlife Gallery Carpathian Basin Wildlife Gallery |
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| Smoggycb |
Posted on 20-01-2008 23:35
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Member Location: Posts: 350 Joined: 19.05.07 |
Lymantria dispar became extinct in Britain in the late 19th century (though I believe small populations have established themselves in London in recent years), and even before this was only recorded in south-east England. I would agree with Aglais urticae. |
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| cosmln |
Posted on 20-01-2008 23:43
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Member Location: Posts: 956 Joined: 18.03.07 |
Smoggycb wrote: Lymantria dispar became extinct in Britain in the late 19th century (though I believe small populations have established themselves in London in recent years), and even before this was only recorded in south-east England. I would agree with Aglais urticae. still i'm not and hoping that a bigger view of that larva will come cosmln |
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| Matt Smith |
Posted on 21-01-2008 11:04
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Member Location: Posts: 28 Joined: 13.07.04 |
I can see why it could possibly be mistaken for a Lymantria larva, but it is definately a young larvae of Aglias urticae Matt |
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but don't see the image in the post.