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Is it possible to find out what this species is?

host: Pseudoips prasinana
location: Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
date: 2007/12/06
size: 4-5 mm

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Great pictures, still difficult to ID. Did you collect the specimen ?
So, let me think out loud: it's either Exoristini or Blondeliini and the eyes are very hairy. In Exoristini, the only candidate is Phorinia aurifrons, which was erect apical scutellars, and this one doesn't.
So Blondeliini ?
Let me ask a question: it seems the ocellar bristles (the pair of strong bristles near the frontal ocellus) are reclinate ?? Is that correct ?

Theo

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I believe the ocellar bristles are reclinate, but I don't know exactly what being reclinate is (because I believe all bristles will have a certain degree of reclination). Here you have a close up:



I have the specimen with me (it's still alive).

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Reclinate means: oriented backwards.
The opposite is proclinate.
These are indeed reclinate, which is very unusual.
I have been barking up the wrong tree.
I think I know what it is, need to check database


Theo

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reclinate - proclinate. Always try the Glossary and if it is not there and you think it needs to be there: submit it (if you don't know what it means leave the description empty).

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and check the overviews section.

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Indeed, my thoughts are correct, it is in the genus Campylochaeta, subeenus Elpe.

Campylochaeta is a difficult genus. Please do collect the specimen and if possible try to expose the male genitalia.

Theo

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One suggestion. Put the host and the fly together in one photo. It would be very interesting to see some photos like this. Of course, the things are not that easy, but it is just to illustrate some relationships.

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Thank you Theo. I can't expose the genitalia because I don't have either the knowledge nor the equipment. Furthermore I don't know how to pin it.
What do I do? Maybe send the specimen to you?

You tell me that reclinate bristles are unusual, does this mean that this genus is rare?

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Jorge, the best I can do is joining two photos in one

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Ok, if you can't pin it, put the fly in alcohol.

I will send you a PM.


Theo

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Rui, as you have noticed, I'm back. I did have a thorough look at the specimen. From the known species, it can only be C. inepta.
However, it has a feature never seen (by me) in C. inepta, or any other Campylochaeta, for that matter: marginal bristles on syntergite 1&2. The handbooks (Mesnil in Lindner) also claim that this feature does not occur in Campylochaeta.
I did study the genitalia: they are similar (inepta and yours), but not identical.

So, I need to consult a real Campylochaeta expert.


Theo

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Ok, thank you Theo. I will wait anxiously for the results.

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It is now confirmed: even the real expert has never seen a Campylochaeta with marginal bristles on syntergite 1&2.
So, we are left with 2 option:
either an highly aberrant specimen of C. inepta, or
a new species.
The latter conclusion is rather bold, if based on 1 specimen only.

So, Rui, get more !!

Theo

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Thank you Theo !

Is there any other way to confirm it's a new species other than by collecting more specimens?
Of course I will continue to collect more tachinids from their hosts, I do that for pleasure. I'll be specially focused on the larvae of Pseudoips prasinana.

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I have just had another very good look at the specimen and let me put it this way: if you forget about the marginals the differences between individuals from The Netherlands is bigger than the difference between yours and an average Dutch guy of C. inepta.

So, I quit: the falsifiable statement is that the marginals in your specimen are accidental.

Keep up the good work with rearing Tachinids from hosts !


Theo

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But what about the genitalia? You said that they were not identical.

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I'm taking the opportunity to show you the pupa of this specimen. As you can see the pupa has a strange yellow bump.

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What I noticed on the difference in dutch material being larger than between the averaged dutch guy and your specimen, applies to the genitalia as well.

Theo

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Ok, thank you Theo.