Posted by
Xespok on 30-06-2007 10:55
#4
I reidentified this species as Muscina prolapsa male. In M. levida the palps should be black, which are almost entirely orange here.
I think the curve in vein M is a really bad marker, because it tends to vary, so overlaps may occur.
Posted by
Xespok on 30-06-2007 20:26
#6
Tony, could you look through my
Azellinae subfamily page to see if all Muscina prolapsa are than Muscina levida in fact.
There are additional images of this very fly showing the characterisics in question.
#7
OK. You have both species represented - it's an excellent reference series showing the characters that separate the species.
Muscina levida (all black antennae and palps, less curved M) - 491170, 49174, 49184, 54153, 54155, 54156.
Muscina prolapsa (orange palps, tip of second antennal segment and base of third segment, more curved vein M) - 46743, 49690, 49691, 49693, 49694, 49781, 49783, 49784, 50697, 50699, 50700, 50702, 54019.
The are other minor differences in abdominal bristle length, dusting pattern, eye separation, etc.
Hope this helps!

Posted by
Xespok on 01-07-2007 21:11
#8
Tony, I think I got the point!
I managed to clean up my Muscina images. Both levida and prolapsa seem to be common here, both are variable in terms of general appearance and can look very pale grey to almost dark.