Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Sawfly help

Posted by Tony Towner on 20-03-2007 22:03
#1
Can anyone help me with the identification of this insect please?

It appears to have a saw-like ovipositor, but I cannot find it in any of my identification books.

The photo was taken on the 14th April last year and shows the insect basking in the sun on my 'Paddy's Pride' Ivy.
Tilehurst, Berkshire, UK.

Posted by Juergen Peters on 21-03-2007 02:49
#2
Hello, Tony!

Tony Towner wrote:
It appears to have a saw-like ovipositor


I don't think that it has an ovipositor, but the third leg pair stretched out backward. Possibly one of the metallic Muscids? But I leave that to the experts...

Posted by Susan R Walter on 21-03-2007 21:15
#3
I agree with Jurgen - it is cleaning its hind legs by brushing them out across one another behind. I also agree it's a metallic muscid - I would guess male Dasyphora sp (not that I am one of the experts Wink )
Edited by Susan R Walter on 21-03-2007 21:16

Posted by Tony Towner on 21-03-2007 22:36
#4
Many thanks Jurgen and Susan for the info.

My Chinery books show 4 flies in the Muscidae family, but unfortunately not Dasyphora sp.

Regards Tony.