Diptera.info

Posted by brian reily on 08-08-2006 20:09

weve been trying to figure this one out since 1975!!!!
(see attachment)

Posted by brian reily on 08-08-2006 21:23

any info on what this is would be geratly appreciated

Posted by Kahis on 08-08-2006 21:47

A larger picture would be geratly appreciated

Where was this critter collected?

Posted by Kahis on 08-08-2006 21:48

Argh. I've seen a fly like this somewhere, but I cannot recall where. Aaargh! I'll be back in a minute.

Edited by Kahis on 08-08-2006 22:00

Posted by Kahis on 08-08-2006 22:00

Hmm. It does actually look a bit like the extinct basal cyclorrhaphan Chimeromyia

, but the wing venation does not match. Could we get a closer look of the venation?

Edited by Kahis on 08-08-2006 22:01

Posted by Kahis on 08-08-2006 22:16

I( am definitely not claiming it is near Chimeromyia, but to confuse myself further I'll link to the original paper [PDF, 4 megs!] describing this genus.

Edit: perhaps I should stop serial posting after midnight.

Edited by Kahis on 08-08-2006 22:17

Posted by Tony Irwin on 08-08-2006 23:21

A clearer picture would be great. In the meantime, my guess is Chyliza (Psilidae).

Posted by Paul Beuk on 09-08-2006 07:03

What about size, location, habitat, etc.?

Posted by brian reily on 09-08-2006 14:23

Blacksburg Va.
9 mm.
1975
... thats all we know

Posted by brian reily on 09-08-2006 14:25

#10

Kahis wrote:
Hmm. It does actually look a bit like the extinct basal cyclorrhaphan Chimeromyia

, but the wing venation does not match. Could we get a closer look of the venation?

im working on this as well as a dorsal view

Posted by Paul Beuk on 09-08-2006 14:28

#11

Va. That is Virginia, right, rather south in the USA?

Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 09-08-2006 14:40

#12

Virginia - tabaco capital, approx as south as Turkey.

Posted by Paul Beuk on 09-08-2006 14:49

#13

I was more wondering about the proximity of Florida (Caraibean influences) and Mexico (Neotropical influences).

Posted by Tony Irwin on 09-08-2006 17:01

#14

My other suggestion would be Strongylophthalmyia, but I'm not sure it gets that far south. (Also wrong size.)

Edited by Tony Irwin on 09-08-2006 17:04

Posted by Kahis on 09-08-2006 17:19

#15

For comparison here's my simple page on the European species: http://www.elisan...a/strongy/

Posted by Tony Irwin on 09-08-2006 17:54

#16

Thanks, Kahis - excellent page.
So not Strongylophthalmyia.

Posted by brian reily on 09-08-2006 18:08

#17

Kahis wrote:
For comparison here's my simple page on the European species: http://www.elisan...a/strongy/

that is exactly whay it looks like!!!!

Posted by Kahis on 09-08-2006 19:08

#18

AFAIK only one Strongylophthalmyid is known from North America: Strongylophthalmyia angustipennis Melander 1920. The Manual of Nearctic Diptera gives its distribution as 'southern Canada and northern US'. The illustration differ from Your fly by the color of legs (yellow) and shape of apical spot. Important? Perhaps.

Posted by Tony Irwin on 09-08-2006 19:34

#19

Brian wrote: that is exactly whay it looks like!!!!

There are similarities, which is why I made the suggestion, but your specimen is 9mm, while Strongylophthalmyia are only up to 4mm. Also the wings on your specimen are comparatively short.

Edited by Tony Irwin on 09-08-2006 19:35