Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Sphaeroceridae ?
#1
Hello,
This rather small (2 mm) fly I saw in Southern Limburg (Kunderberg) in July.
Ben
#2
Not Sphaeroceridae. I'd try Milichiidae.
#3
Hmm, what genus would you suggest in that case?
#4
Madiza?

#5
I wondered about that one, too, but in my experience 2 mm is may be on the small side and when I compare this image to the one on
http://www.sel.ba...ma-ga.html, I think the head may be too flattened in the specimen illustrated here.
#6
Seguy gives the size as 2.25 to 2.5mm, so I think Ben's estimate is near enough. I agree the head shape looks a little flat compared to Brake's photo, but that is actually dorso-lateral (both antennae are clearly visible), rather than strictly lateral, as in Ben's photo. This could explain the difference. Tomorrow I hope to compare specimens to the photo (I haven't got any at home), so we should be able to resolve it then.
I note that Fauna Europaea does not record any
Madiza from the Netherlands. Is this another reason for your doubt?
#7
Nope, that is just omission ar Fauna Europea. It is quite common if you know how to look for it.
#8
I asked Irina Brake (http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/Diptera/milichid/mi-home.html) to give her opinion.
Irina wrote:
I would say it is Madiza glabra. You can see the different structure at the base of T5, which is due to some glands.
So Tony, it seems you are totally right!
Jan Willem
#9
This morning I compared the photo to some (rather old) specimens of
Madiza glabra, and it matched very well. Among the features which seem characteristic - the sphaerocerid-like head shape with flat frons, the chunky legs, the milky wings, the long bristles at the end of the abdomen, and the shining
black haltere. This last feature (visible in front of and slightly below the white flash spot at the base of the abdomen) is rarely found - the halteres of most flies are white, yellow or brown.
But exactly which species of
Madiza this is ...? I suspect we may need the specimen.
#10
So far from the Netherlands only
glabra has been recorded.
#11
Hi,
Many thanks to you all for this multinational and intercontinental action to identify this fly.
I have seen flies like this at several occasions sitting on the top of posts. Next time I will try to make a better picture for the gallery.
Ben
#12
Paul - I have to confess I've never caught this fly knowingly. You suggest there is a good way to look for it. Is this examining the top of posts, as Ben does, or are you thinking of something else? TIA.
#13
One of the ways to collect it is to look indoors, for example, in appartment buildings where windows are open on warmer days. Especially in parts of the buildings where staircases have lots of glass and opened doors you can find them on windows.
Otherwise posts or bare trunks can yield specimens but that is more accidental, I think. I know I have also seen quite a lot of specimens in Malaise traps.