Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Beautiful Egglayer for ID, Queensland

Posted by Trev on 27-02-2009 05:46
#1
Just spotted this beautiful girl hanging around a Eucalyptus Tree that has been damaged by fire. On close inspection I saw she was egg laying and I managed to get a couple of shots. Anybody know this species. Thanks for all help.
Edited by Trev on 27-02-2009 05:46

Posted by Trev on 27-02-2009 05:47
#2
Another view

Posted by pwalter on 27-02-2009 07:47
#3
Hi, nice shots, looks like Pipunculidae to me.

Posted by Trev on 27-02-2009 08:02
#4
Here's a head on view that may help
Edited by Trev on 27-02-2009 08:04

Posted by Paul Beuk on 27-02-2009 08:30
#5
Syrphidae

Posted by Gerard Pennards on 27-02-2009 10:03
#6
Wauw.....syrphidae indeed.
First guess (or better two), Psilota sp. or Eumerus sp.!!
John or maddin might know more??
Greetings,
Gerard
Edited by Gerard Pennards on 27-02-2009 10:04

Posted by John Smit on 27-02-2009 10:18
#7
Wow what a beautiful species!
It's a Psilota, however I have never seen this species! I only know of black, metallic bleu or green species, though I have read something about a red species.
Please tell me you've collected the specimen....
Though a male would be better!
Awesome picture's though!
John

Posted by Paul Beuk on 27-02-2009 10:31
#8
Wild guess: Cyphipelta rufocyanea.

Posted by John Smit on 27-02-2009 10:51
#9
I have no idea what Cyphipelta is, but if these pictures are that species you suggest, then that genus is a synonym of Psilota.

John

Posted by Wouter van Steenis on 28-02-2009 22:22
#10
Dear Trev and others,

Beautiful pictures of a beautiful species!

this for sure is a Psilota. Two Australian Psilota species with red abdomens are described. P. rubriventris Bigot, 1885 and P. rubra Klocker, 1924. P. rubra has dark antennae (based on description). I do not have the Bigot description. However, I recently started working on Australian Psilota and I have at least 5 species with red abdomens, so probably this is an undescribed species.
Would it be possible to rear the larvae? The egg laying in burned Eucalyptus really is interesting!

Cyphipelta has bare eyes.

Wouter


Posted by Trev on 06-03-2009 02:16
#11
Thanks everyone. Much regret John, was just out with the camera and didn't get the specimen. Wouter, sorry went back to the tree a couple of times but no sign of any larvae. I have had a couple of people that specialise in this family look at the pictures and the consensus is that it is definitely a Psilota but a new species. I am now on the lookout for another specimen.