Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Ceratopogonidae (Tony Irwin); SW Spain

Posted by Andre Burgers on 10-02-2024 16:58
#1

I have no clue to which family this fly (2.2 mm) belongs. Very strange venation.
I found this specimen on a wall in Minas de Riotinto, Huelva.

Any idea?

Thanks! TumbsUp

Edited by Andre Burgers on 10-02-2024 21:07

Posted by Tony Irwin on 10-02-2024 18:50
#2

Ceratopogonidae

Posted by Andre Burgers on 10-02-2024 18:58
#3

Thanks, Tony! I have seen many Ceratopogonidae, but never like this one. TumbsUp

Posted by Tony Irwin on 10-02-2024 20:23
#4

The short, oblong radial cells are a good indicator for Ceratopogonidae.

Posted by Andre Burgers on 10-02-2024 21:06
#5

Perfectly explained, Tony! Smile

Posted by John Carr on 10-02-2024 21:26
#6

Ceratopogonini, likely Ceratopogon.

Wing veins also match Culicoides which has more hairs on the wing and shorter claws.

Posted by Andre Burgers on 11-02-2024 15:09
#7

Well, a new genus for me (or tribe). Smile

Thanks, John! TumbsUp

Posted by Andre Burgers on 11-02-2024 17:20
#8

I found some information about this genus.

Iberfauna only names one species for Spain, Ceratopogon niveipennis.
http://iberfauna.mncn.csic.es/showficha.aspx?rank=T&idtax=63066

As I have no idea whether this is correct I read "Beitrag zur Kenntniss der Gattung Ceratopogon Meigen" by J. Winnertz.
The description of its syn, C. candidatus and drawing of the wing fit my specimen.

Is it possible to identify these species by photo?


¡Saludos!
André

Posted by John Carr on 11-02-2024 18:40
#9

Four species are known from western Europe. Quoting Art Borkent: "They are generally early spring, alpine or arctic species and the genus is strictly Holarctic. Many females are difficult to identify even after slide mounting but the males, with very large genitalia, have good characters."



Posted by Andre Burgers on 12-02-2024 19:10
#10

John Carr wrote:
Four species are known from western Europe. Quoting Art Borkent: "They are generally early spring, alpine or arctic species and the genus is strictly Holarctic. Many females are difficult to identify even after slide mounting but the males, with very large genitalia, have good characters."


Well, that is clear!

Thanks, John! TumbsUp

Posted by Paul Beuk on 15-02-2024 09:02
#11

Andre, if you can check on original image if you can see an internal tooth on the tarsal claws then, please, do so. From this image it seems to be absent (although that may be because of orientation of the visible claws), but the tooth should be present in niveipennis.

Posted by Andre Burgers on 17-02-2024 14:53
#12

Hi, Paul! TumbsUp

I don't see any tooth on its claws. I will upload a cropped photo.


Thanks!!
André

Posted by Paul Beuk on 21-02-2024 16:22
#13

Then it should be another species Wink