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I've run this through Unwin's key to the diptera families of Britain and it emerged out the other end as Tephritidae. I wondered if it was Cerajocera ceratocera?

From 22 July 2006, east London cemetery park, male (I think), 4mm.

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Another view.

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Hi Susan,

Indeed a Tephritid, and also a Terellia, subgenus Cerajocera, but not the species ceratocera. It is Terellia (Cerajocera) tussilaginis. This species is easily identiefied within this (sugenus, for it has three bands on the wing, with a fourth spot at the basis (not really a band), furthermore in the males it has no modified antennae, contrary to T. (C.) ceratocera, in which the male has an extension on the second antennal segment. The photographed specimen is a male, with no modified antenna and therefore tussilaginis. The larvae feed inside flowerheads of several Arctium species.

Cheers,

John

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Thanks John. It's useful to know that the spur on the male T (C) ceratocera must be pretty obvious, if you can tell from my fairly poor photos that my specimen doesn't have it. It was one of the questions I had in my notes for this specimen.

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Hi Susan,

The spur is about as long as the third antennal segment, or slightly shorter, so even in these pictures it is fairly easy to see

John

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Hi,

I read about a few rearings from Cirsium sp. as well, but nevertheless, the name "tussilaginis" seems rather misleading to me

cheers - martin

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Hi Martin,

The name tussilaginis, is indeed misleading.
I would love to have some references on the rearings from Cirsium sp., if you have some I would greatly appreciate it!

John

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Bernhard Merz, Diptera-Tephritidae. Insecta Helvetica Fauna Vol. 10 (1994), in German. Page 89-90.

"Im Ausland [that is: outside of Switzerland] an A[rctium]. lappa und je einmal aus den Bl?tenk?pfen von Cirsium arvense und den Stengeln von C. vulgare gezogen."

No further reference is given.

Hope that helps - martin

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Hi Martin,

Thanks! I should check my sources better next time.
Though I trust you understand that 'je einmal' means that it both happend only once and are therefore exceptions. Perhaps that's the reason it didn't stick in my mind...

Cheers,

John

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I KNEW you had this in your shelf

cheers - martin