Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Melanostoma scalare or mellinum?

Posted by Basil Crowley on 03-05-2010 21:22
#1
I photographed this live specimen in the house (S England) yesterday. It was more interested in feeding, apparently, so I was able to get several quite sharp photos from various angles. I believe it is a male Melanostoma sp, but can someone please tell me which species - scalare or mellinum? The keys I have ascertained are not much help and, looking at the images posted on this website, I have not been able to determine any consistent differences between the males of these species? Can you help please?

Basil

(PS more photos to follow)

Posted by Basil Crowley on 03-05-2010 21:25
#2
Image 2

Posted by Basil Crowley on 03-05-2010 21:26
#3
Image 3

Posted by Basil Crowley on 03-05-2010 21:29
#4
Image 4

I have a few more if these are not sufficient. And, just to confirm, all four images are of the same specimen.

Basil

Posted by Roger Thomason on 03-05-2010 21:37
#5
It is a Platycheirus sp...flattened front tarsi. I'll let some of the clever people on here give you the species name to save me embarrassing myself again.

Roger

EDIT; Oh well...Maybe P.scutatusSmile
Edited by Roger Thomason on 03-05-2010 21:48

Posted by Basil Crowley on 03-05-2010 22:45
#6
Tis I who should be feeling embarrassed - didn't even get the genus right! Shock Thanks, Roger, for putting me straight so promptly.

Having looked around, Platycheirus scutatus certainly does seem a good bet.

Smile Basil