Diptera.info

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 21:17

Today was day #1 of the DF field meeting to the New Forest, Hampshire - a great day was had by all but the number of flies was a bit low. But the weather here has been wet and cold so it wasn't unexpected.

Photos to follow

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 21:19

Mark-uk wrote:
Hi Chris

so you have sorted all the New Forest Material already?

Moved this to a new thread to avoid hijacking the Gonia thread

I have had a look and there is a mix of stuff ... Phasia hempitera was probably the commonest tachinid on the day. Then we seem to have picked up 2 Phorocera (obscura & assimilis?) and a Phryxe but none of the material is really what I'd call "easy" so I'll have to add IDs when I have had a chance to key them

Did you get anything good?

Edited by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 21:20

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 21:31

How many Dipterists does it take to catch a fly? Here Alan Stubbs, Roger Morris, Martin Drake & Mark Mitchell prove that it certainly takes more than 1

Edited by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 21:34

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 21:37

Chris Bentley looks to the heavens for inspiration... I'm still not convinced that a leaf-litter tray is essential equipment for a Diptera meeting

Posted by Mark-uk on 12-05-2012 21:38

Still sifting through it all - On the Tachinind front also lots of hempitera - I have Siphona sp

So far -Some nice hoverflies - Fungas knats in very large numbers. and a nice Myopa sp.

Mark

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 21:39

Ken Merrifield, keen Dipterist and purveyor of fine pooters, watched by Malcolm Smart & Erica McAlister...

Edited by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 21:40

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 21:43

#10

... and lastly another fly ... not sure which Ferdinandia this might be - better off in the ID forums but anyone got a clue?

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 21:47

#12

Mark-uk wrote:
Still sifting through it all - On the Tachinind front also lots of hempitera - I have Siphona sp. So far -Some nice hoverflies - Fungas knats in very large numbers. and a nice Myopa sp.

Yes, it seems to have been a good day for the syrphid experts but I think when we get all the tachinids identified there will probably be more species than it might have seemed

Still, I'd be interested to know how you all get on tomorrow. Steve & I called in on Denny Wood again and stood by the hawthorns and caught a few more tachinids. So it would be worthwhile going back again tomorrow

PS: if I have missed out anyone in the photos then let me know and I'll add their names ... I just never get around to asking everyone their names!

Edited by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 21:50

Posted by ChrisR on 12-05-2012 23:25

#13

OK, my preliminary tachinid list for the day:
- Phasia hemiptera
- Phorocera obscura
- Phorocera assimilis
- Lypha dubia
- Phryxe magnicornis (very nice!)
- Smidtia conspersa

Not a bad catch actually and better than I thought we'd had