 Tabanidae? But unmarked red eyes
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| Stephen |
Posted on 04-07-2007 11:02
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 Member Location: Posts: 1322 Joined: 12.04.05 |
This was an unusually pretty fly, but I have had trouble identifying it. Is it Tabanidae? But it seems most of the Tabanidae have striped or patterned eyes, and this one doesn't. Mouthparts look right for Tabanidae, don't they? I thought over other families based on overall appearance (Rhagionidae, Bombylidae, even Syrphidae) but for one reason or another those don't seem correct to me. ID help will be appreciated! Along rocky river, mountain foothills, West Virginia USA, 1 July 2007. The fly seem uninterested in flying, but kept walking toward me! Measured 13.5 mm from the front of the eyes to the rear of the abdomen. --Stephen Stephen Cresswell www.americaninsects.net |
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| Stephen |
Posted on 04-07-2007 11:04
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Member Location: Posts: 1322 Joined: 12.04.05 |
Here's a second view.
--Stephen Stephen Cresswell www.americaninsects.net |
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| Stephen |
Posted on 05-07-2007 13:39
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Member Location: Posts: 1322 Joined: 12.04.05 |
I sure hope someone will be able to help me with this one. I'm posting now a third image, lateral, to go along with the doral and face view. Thanks in advance for help anyone can give. --Stephen Stephen Cresswell www.americaninsects.net |
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| crex |
Posted on 05-07-2007 14:15
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 Member Location: Posts: 1996 Joined: 22.05.06 |
Tabanidae I presume. Hopefully Tony T or Zeegers will have a look when they show up again ... Edit: Within Tabanomorpha there are besides Tabanidae and Rhagionidae also Athericidae. Some Athericidae females are bloodsuckers ... I thought this was a male, but should a male have this large proboscis or what you call that blood probing mouth thing!? Edited by crex on 05-07-2007 14:33 |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 05-07-2007 19:27
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 Member Location: Posts: 7168 Joined: 19.11.04 |
My guess is that this is a male of Goniops chrysocoma (based on a great similarity in wing markings and general appearance with pictures of the female I have seen). Needs confirmation, though! 
Edited by Tony Irwin on 05-07-2007 19:27 Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| Tony T |
Posted on 05-07-2007 21:34
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 Member Location: Posts: 661 Joined: 08.02.07 |
I agree with Tony Irwin's ID. I've never seen this species but it agrees with the species description. Crex wrote "I thought this was a male, but should a male have this large proboscis or what you call that blood probing mouth thing!?" It is a male, the "proboscis" you are seeing are actually 2nd palpal segments that are not directly involved in blood feeding. |
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| Stephen |
Posted on 05-07-2007 22:22
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Member Location: Posts: 1322 Joined: 12.04.05 |
Thanks so much, Crex, Tony, and Tony! This was a beautiful fly but it really did puzzle me. I don't recall ever seeing a Tabanid that did not have stripes or marbling or some kind of pattern on the eyes.
--Stephen Stephen Cresswell www.americaninsects.net |
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| Tony T |
Posted on 06-07-2007 01:52
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Member Location: Posts: 661 Joined: 08.02.07 |
Several species have unmarked eyes, take a look at Tabanus americanus on BugGuide. Incidentally these images would be a nice addition to BG pages  |
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